was to fight with the Gauls 16. Epaminondas the Theban encountring with the Lacedaemonians did think to encrease the Confidence of his Men with a Trick of Religion The Arms and Weapons which were hung up to adorn the Temples he caused to be secretly taken away in the Night and persuaded his Souldiers that the Gods had done it to follow and assist them in their Fight 17. Agesilaus the Lacedaemonian having taken some Persian Captives whose Garb when it was worn by them did strike a terror to his men was wont to shew them all naked that they might behold their white Skin and their groundless Fear together 18. Gelo King of Syracuse having proclaimed a War against the Carthaginians and taken many of them Captives was wont to produce the weakest of them all naked chiefly of the Auxiliaries who were black and swarthy that his Souldiers might thereby learn to contemn them 19. Cyrus the Persian King that he might stir up the Minds of his Country-men wearied them a whole day in cutting down a certain Wood and the next day invited them to a most plentiful Feast and asked them which was most pleasing to them when they answered that the present things were most grateful he replied By this alone you may attain to these things you can never be free nor happy unless you overcome the Medes By this perswasion he encouraged them to the desire of fighting 20. L. Sylla fighting against Archelaus a General of Mithridates near Pirea had in his Army very lazy Souldiers but by wearying them in working he forced them to desire from him the Signal to fight 21. Q. Fabius Maximus fearing lest his Souldiers should have such a Confidence in their Ships unto which they could fly for shelter that this might hinder them in fighting commanded them to be burned before he entered into the Battel CHAP. XII How to expell the Fears which Souldiers may have conceived from ill Omens and contrary Accidents Example 1. WHen Scipio transported his Army from Italy over into Africa he fell down at his landing upon the Ground and saw that his Souldiers were thereat astonished but he by the greatness and constancy of his Courage turned it to their Encouragement by saying you may now go to play Souldiers I have already overcome and taken Africa 2. C. Caesar falling down by chance as he was landing out of a Ship cried out I hold thee fast O Mother Earth By which Interpretation he seemed to return to those Lands from whence he was departed 3. T. Sempronius Gracchus Consul having drawn up his Army against the Picentes the ancient Inhabitants of the Marca de Acona there happened at that instant a trembling of the Earth or an Earthquake which terrified both Armies but he by a Speech confirmed and encouraged his Men to attack his Enemies while they were frighted with Superstition and over-came them 4. Q. Sertorius when the Bucklers of his Horsemen on the outside and the Breasts of their Horses appeared in a prodigious manner on a sudden to be bloody he interpreted that it was a sign of their obtaining the Victory because those parts used to be sprinkled with the Enemies Blood in fighting 5. When Epaminondas the Theban saw his Souldiers grieved because the Wind had taken off from his Spear an Ornament that hanged down as a Ribband and cast it on the Tomb of a certain Lacedemonian I would not have you said he be troubled and affrighted my Souldiers this signifies the Death of the Lacedemonians for their Sepulchres are adorned for their Funerals 6. The same Epaminondas when a Flame fell from the Sky in the Night and terrified those that were present told them that this Light did discover the Gods 7. The same General when he was ready to fight with the Lacedemonians fell down in the Chair in which he was feated which Accident was commonly interpreted for an ill Omen and his Souldiers being thereat troubled he told them we are now forbidden to sit any longer 8. L. Sulpitius Gallus when an Eclipse of the Moon was at hand that his Souldiers might not mistake it for a Prodigy gave them an account of it before with the Reasons and Causes of the Eclipse 9. When Agathocles the Syracusan warred against the Carthaginians there happened a like Eclipse of the Moon the Night before the Battel and seeing his Souldiers troubled as at a great wonder he acquainted them with the Reasons of the Eclipse and told them that whatever should happen did relate to the nature of things and did not concern their Purpose 10. When there fell a Thunder-bolt into the Camp of Pericles which terrified the Souldiers he gathered them together and before them all he beat two Stones one against another and struck Fire and by that means quieted their Minds telling them that in the like manner by the violent motion of the Clouds the Thunder is produced 11. It happened to Timotheus the Athenian when he was to fight against the Inhabitants of Corcyra that the Master of his Vessel had commanded the Signal to be given to stop the Fleet ready to set fall because one of the Men at the Oar began to sneeze Dost thou wonder said Timotheus that amongst so many thousand men there is one man that shivers or sneezes for cold 12. When Chabrias the Athenian was ready to fight at Sea with his Fleet there fell a Thunderbolt at the head of his Ship which affrighted his Souldiers who looked upon it as a prodigious thing Now said he we ought chiefly to begin to fight when the greatest of the Gods Jupiter hath given us a sign to our Fleet that he will be present and assist us THE SECOND BOOK Of the Stratagems of WAR OF Sextus Julius Frontinus a ROMAN Consul A Short Introduction IN the first Book we have already plac'd in order the Examples fit in my Opinion for a Captain to understand in relation to those things that are to be perform'd before a Battel we shall now give an account of what is wont to be done in a Battel and afterwards those things that are acted in the conclusion of a Fight or War Now these are the Particulars which belong to a Fight or Battel CHap. 1. Of the time to be chosen for a Battel Chap. 2. Of the place to be chosen for a Battel Chap. 3. Of the marshalling and ordering an Army Chap. 4. How to disorder an Enemies Army Chap. 5. Of Ambushes Chap. 6. Of suffering an Enemy to depart for fear that out of despair he should renew the Fight Chap. 7. How to dissemble ill Successes Chap. 8. Of restoring a Battel by Constancy and Courage Chap. 9. Of those things that are practis'd after a Fight if all things succeed and of the finishing a War Chap. 10. Of remedying ill Successes if things happen contrary Chap. 11. How to preserve such as are wavering in their Fidelity and Allegiance Chap. 12. The things that are to be done about a Camp if we have not
resolved he therefore changed the left Wing of his Army for his right which he had composed of the strongest and ablest Men and encountered with the Enemies Army a-thwart At last he routed the Africans and easily forced the Spaniards who in the Retreat stood still as Lookers on to surrender themselves 2. Philip King of Macedo fighting against the Illyrians saw that the Front of the Enemies Army was very close together and composed of the choicest men taken out of the whole Army which caused the sides to be but weak he therefore placed his best and stoutest Men in his right Wing and with them assaulted the left of the Enemies Army routed and disordered them and got the Victory 3. When Permenes the Theban Captain took notice of the Persian Army that their strongest Troops were in their right Wing he drew up his Men in the same manner he appointed all his Horse and the ablest of all his Foot to be in the right Wing and opposed the weakest of his against the strongest of the Persians and commanded them that at the first Charge they should save themselves by Flight and retreat into the Woods and rocky Places By this means he disappointed the strength of the Enemies Army and with the best part of his Troops in the right Wing he encompassed about the Persians and overthrew them 4. When P. Cornelius Scipio who was afterwards firnamed Africanus made War against Asdrubal the Carthaginian General in Spain he led out his Army for several days so ordered in Battel that the Body or Battalion in the middle was composed of his strongest Men but when the Enemy also came forth constantly disposed in the same manner Scipio that very day that he had appointed to fight changed the Order of his Battel and placed his stoutest Souldiers namely his Roman Legions in the Wings and his Men who were slenderly armed in the middle but something behind the rest By this means he assaulted with his two Wings that were strongest and appearing like a half Moon the weakest part of the Enemies Army and easily routed them 5. Metellus in that Battel wherein he overcame Herculeius in Spain when he understood that his Enemies Troops that were esteemed the stoutest were placed in the middle caused his Battalion that was opposite to draw back that they might not come to fight with the Enemy untill their Wings were routed and their main Body enclosed in on both sides 6. Artaxerxes marching against the Grecians who were entred into Persia because he exceeded them in number of Men he stretched out his Army farther than the Enemies and placed his Horse in the Van and such as were lightly armed in the Wings and thus he marched softly on purpose with his middle Battalion that he might encompass them which when he had done he cut them all in pieces 7. Hannibal observed a contrary order in the Battel of Cannae for he caused the middle Battalion to advance before and kept back the Wings by this means he overpower'd their Men at the first Charge For this same General caused his Souldiers to fight close together and the Wings to wind about in the manner of a Half-Moon and to march on at his Command so that when the Enemy was earnest in the pursuit he enclosed them into the middle of his Army fell upon them and cut them in pieces on all sides for his Souldiers were well acquainted with this manner of fighting after a long experience None but such Souldiers as are well skill'd and able to answer to every thing can possibly perform and observe this kind of Warfare 8. Livius Salinator and Claudius Nero when in the second Punick War Hasdrubal was unwilling to fight and therefore had drawn up his Army upon a stony Hill behind a Vineyard led their Forces up on all sides surrounded him on every hand and without shelter assaulted and overcame him 9. When Hannibal had been in many Battels overpower'd by Claudius Marcellus at last in his Marches he so placed his Camp that he had the Assistance and Defence either of some Hill or Marsh Ground or some other convenient place and did draw up his Army in such a manner that when the Romans had the Advantage he could retreat with them into his Fortifications with little or no loss and when they were beaten it was in his power and choice to pursue them 10. Xanthippus the Lacedaemonian General in Africa against M. Attilius Regulus placed his Men slenderly armed in the Van and the Strength of his Army next to second them commanding his Auxiliary Troops assoon as they had cast their Darts to give Ground to the Enemy and when they were retreated within their own Ranks to run immediately to the sides and to charge from both Wings the Enemy that was at handy Blows with the Body of their Army and to surround them in 11. Sertorius practiced the same thing in Spain when he was fighting against Pompei 12. Cleandridas the Lacedaemonian General against the Lucani drew up his Men close together that they might appear but a small Body and more contemptible to the Enemy but when the Battel was begun he caused his Men to open and having encompassed in the Enemy he routed them 13. When Gastron the Lacedemonian went to succour the Aegyptians against the Persians and understood that his Grecian Troops were stoutest Souldiers and most feared of the Persians he caused them to change their Arms and to march in the Van and when they encountered with the Persians with equal Advantage he sent a Party of Aegyptians to second them when the Persians who were fighting with those Grecians whom they thought to be Aegyptians perceived the coming in of the Multitude whom they esteemed to be also Grecians they run away for fear 14. Cn. Pompcius in Albania because the Enemy was powerful in Horse and numbers of Men commanded his Souldiers to cover their Head pieces in a streight place near a Hill for fear they should be discovered by their shining in the Sun and he commanded his Horse-men to go down into the Plain and cover the Foot and at the first Onset of the Enemy to give back till they were returned to the Foot and then to place themselves in the Wings which being accordingly performed the Roman Army arose encounter'd with those that were unadvisedly got in so far who meeting with an unexpected Resistance were cut all in pieces 15. M. Antonius General against the Parthians commanded his Men to stop when an innumerable company of Arrows were discharged upon them and to cover themselves over with their Targets upon which when the Arrows fell did no Injury to the Souldiers and the Enemy was thereby exhausted 16. When Hannibal encounter'd with Scipio in Africa because he had an Army composed of Carthaginians and Auxiliary Troops some being come from divers Countries and from Italy also behind fourscore Elephants which he caused to march before his Army to disorder the Roman Ranks he placed
double Phalanx or Body of Pikemen to charge in the middle surrounded with Souldiers lightly armed and on both Wings the Macedonian Horse Against this Order the Roman General divided his Army into three great Bodies with some small Companies drawn up in the form of a Wedge between them he placed his Souldiers lightly armed when he perceived that this did not profit him he resolved to give Ground that by this means he might draw the Enemy into stony and broken places which he had chosen on purpose But the Macedonians mistrusting the Retreat of the Romans to be out of Design marched forward with their Body of Pikes in good order then he commanded his Horse to ride undiscover'd out of sight of the Macedonian Phalanx and on the left hand of them and to assault them with full speed that he might by the Furiousness of the Charge and the goodness of their Army break and turn back the Enemies Pikes which accordingly succeeded so well that these Weapons were render'd useless to the Macedonians so that they were forced to turn their Backs and fly 21. When Pyrrhus King of Epirus assisted those of Tarentum near Asculum according to the Saying of Homer which teacheth to place the most Souldiers in the middle of a Battel he appointed the Samnites and his own Country-men to be in the right Wing in the left the Brutii and Lucani together with the Salentini but in the middle he drew up the Tarentini and ordered his Horse and Elephants to stand as a Reserve But the Roman Consuls in opposition to him placed their Horse excellently well in the Wings the Legions in the Van and Rear and amongst them they mixed their Auxiliary Troops In each Army it is certain there was forty thousand men Pyrrhus lost half his Army and the Romans about five thousand 22. When Cn. Pompeius encounter'd with C. Caesar in the Fields of Pharsalia he divided his Army into three Bodies and every Body had ten Ranks in Latitude the strongest Legions according to their Valour he placed in the Wings and between them in the open spaces he fill'd up with the new rais'd Troops in the right Wing he ordered only six hundred Horse because of the River Enipeus that overflowing its Banks had made Holes and Trenches on that side of the Country The rest of his Horse he drew up in the left Wing with all his Auxiliaries that he might encompass in on that side Caesar's Army Against this Array Julius Caesar appeared with three Bodies of an Army having put his Legions in the Front and that he might not be enclosed in he had on his left side a marsh Ground in the right Wing he placed his Horse mingled with the nimblest of his Foot-men who were used to fight with the Horse behind them he drew up some Companies of Foot to second them and to be employed on sudden Occasions but the right Wing he caused to turn winding that he might better receive the Onset of Pompey's Horse which Order contributed very much to the getting the Victory for when Pompey's Horse were broken in upon them they sallied out unexpectedly turned them aside and exposed them to the Fury of Caesar's Foot 23. The Emperour Caesar Germanicus when the Catti a People of Germany fled into their Forests and assaulted the Romans only with their Horse commanded his Horsemen assoon as they were come to the Baggage to leap from their Horses and to fight on foot By this means he brought to pass that in every place he obtain'd the Victory not without Wonder 24. C. Duillius seeing that the heaviness of his Ships suffered the Carthaginian Navy easily to avoid and pass by them because of their Nimbleness and Lightness and that the Courage and Valour of his Men profited him nothing invented the iron Grapples which assoon as it had taken hold of an Enemies Ship there was a Bridge cast over and the Roman Souldiers encounter'd with them in their own Vessels and cut them in pieces CHAP. IV. Of disordering an Enemies Army Example 1. WHen Papyrius sirnamed Cursor the Consul's Son saw that he encounter'd with the obstinate Samnites with equal Advantage he commanded Spurius Naucius privately and unknown to his own Men to take with him a few Servants and Mule-drivers riding on their Mules with Branches of Trees drawn on the ground in their hands and to run down a Hill which was over against them with great noise which assoon as he perceived he cried out to his Men That his victorious Partner was come to his Assistance and that now they should prevent him and get to themselves the Honour of the day By this means the Romans were filled with Confidence and Resolution and furiously assaulted the Enemy and put them all to flight 2. F. Rutilius sirnamed Maximus being the fourth time Consul in the Country of the Samnites having tried all means to break through the Enemies Battel at last he drew off all his Pikemen from the Ranks and sent them about with his Lieutenant General Scipio commanding him to take a Hill from whence they might break in upon the Backs of their Enemies which being done accordingly the Romans took Courage and the Samnites were frighted and seeking to fly they were cut in pieces 3. When Minutius Rufus was General against the Scordisci and the Daci being likely to be overcharged by the numbers of their Men that exceeded his sent his Brother with a few Horse-men together with all his Trumpeters and commanded them that assoon as the Battel was begun they should suddenly shew themselves in divers places with their Trumpets sounding in such places of the Mountains as might return and encrease the Eccho This Appearance of a vast Multitude put such a Terror into the Enemies that they turned their Backs and fled 4. Attilius Glabrio Consul marching against the Army of Antiochus which was coming into Achaia through the Streights of Thermopylae had been stop'd by the Enemy with confiderable loss because of the disadvantage of the place of Battel had he not sent round about M. Porcius Cato who at that time being made a Collonel by the People of Rome was in the Army He sent him with a Party to assault the Aetolians who held the Top of Mount Callidromus with a Guard so that on a sudden he appeared behind the King's Camp upon a high Hill which so terrified the Army of Antiochus that they suffered the Romans to break in upon them on all sides they fled and left their Camp to their Enemies Pleasure 5. C. Sulpitius Petreius the Consul warring against the Gauls commanded his Mule-keepers to go privately into the next Mountains and from thence assoon as the Fight was begun to shew themselves to the Armies riding as so many Horsemen This Sight made the Enemy believe that some Assistance was come to the Roman Army which caus'd them to yield the Victory when they had almost obtain'd it 6. When Marius was to give Battel the next day to the
Teutoni a People of Germany near the Waters Sextiae he sent Marcellus with a small Party of Horse and Foot by night to fall upon the Backs of the Enemy and better to shew the Appearance of an Army commanded the Servants and Cooks to go also armed with a great part of the Beasts for Carriage and Carts covered over with course Coverleds the better to shew the likeness of Horsemen He commanded them that assoon as they saw the Battel begun they should come down upon the Backs of the Enemy This Appearance struck so great a Terror into the Enemy that their most valiant men immediately fled 7. M. Licinius Crassus in the War against the Fugitives when he was to lead out his Army near Calamarcum against Castus and Canimocus Captains of the Gauls sent twelve Bands or Cohorts commanded by C. Promptinus and C. Martius Rufus his Lieutenants round about a Hill so that when the Battel was begun this Party came behind the Enemy with a great Noise and routed them in such a manner that instead of fighting they all fled 8. When Marcellus was afraid that the small number of his Men would be discovered by their hollowing commanded all the Followers of his Army to encrease the hollowing by this means he used to fright the Enemy with the Appearance of a great Army 9. Valerius Levinus in a Battel against Pyrrhus King of Epirus having kill'd with his Sword a certain common Souldier held it up all bloody in the fight of both Armies telling them that therewith he had slain Pyrrhus Therefore the Enemies thinking that they had lost their Leader and troubled with this Lye retreated in fear into their Camp 10. Jugurtha fighting in Numidia against C. Marius having the Knowledge of the Latin Tongue by his long living in the Roman Armies advanc'd to the first Ranks and declared with a loud Voice in Latin That he had kill'd C. Marius and by that means troubled many of the Roman Army 11. Mynnides the Athenian commanding in a doubtful Fight against the Thebans suddenly ran to his right Wing and cried out aloud That the left had already got the Victory by this policy he encreas'd the Courage and Chearfulness of his Men and so terrified the Enemy that they fled and left him the Victory 12. When Croesus was to fight against a strong Party of Horse he caused a great Company of Camels to meet them The Horse were so troubled at the strangeness of the Sight that they cast down their Riders ran upon the Ranks of the Foot and gave the Victory to the Enemy 13. When Pyrrhus King of Epyrus was to fight for them of Tarentum against the Romans he made use of his Elephants in the same manner to disorder the Roman Army 14. And the Carthaginians also have often practis'd the same thing in their Fights against the Romans 15. The Camp of the Volsci being seated near Bushes and Woods Camillus caused all that would burn to be carried to their Frenches and there to be set on Fire by this means he drove the enemy from thence 16. M. Crassus in the War of the Confederates was in the same manner surprised with almost all his Army 17. The Spaniards in a Fight against Hamilcar put before them in the Front of the Battel Carts full of combustible matter and Brimstone drawn by Oxen and when the Signal of the Fight was given they set them on fire then driving the Oxen to the Enemies they broke through and discomfited them 18. The Falisci and such as were of the Faction of Tarquinius apparelled many of their men in the Habit of Priests with Torches and Snakes in their hands sending them in a furious manner to disturb and disorder the Roman Army 19. The Vejentes and Fidenates with lighted Torches practised the same Policy 20. When Atheas King of the Scythians was to fight against a greater number of the Triballi than he had in his Army he ordered the Women and Boys and all such as were unfit to fight to drive upon the last Battalion of the Enemy all the Oxen and Asses that he had and to carry up an end Pikes in their hands by which Appearance he caused a Rumour to be spread amongst the Enemies That Succours were come from the farthest part of Scythia to his Assistance which so discouraged them that they were overthrown CHAP. V. Of Ambushes Example 1. WHen Romulus went against the Town of Fidenae he left a part of his Forces in Holes and Caves and by a pretended Flight caused the Enemy to follow unadvisedly so far as his concealed Souldiers who immediately rose up assaulted the unwary and dispersed Enemy on all hands and cut them in pieces 2. Q. Fabius Maximus Consul being sent to aid the Inhabitants of Sutrium against the Hetrusci oblig'd all the Enemies Troops to fall upon him and afterwards in a seeming Fear retreated to a higher Ground and when the Enemy pursued in a disorderly manner to the foot of the Hill he fell upon them and not only routed them but took their Camp 3. T. Sempronius Gracchus General against the Celtiberi a People of Spain pretended a Fear and caused his Army to keep within their Fortifications only he sent out some of his Companies lightly armed to skirmish with the Enemy but upon a sudden he caused them to retreat in again which caused the Enemy to follow in pursuit then did he assault them in good order and made such a slaughter of them that he took their Camp 4. Q. Metellus Consul General in Sicily against Hasdrubal was more wary and careful because of the Enemies vast numbers and one hundred and thirty Elephants which they had in their Army he seemed to be therefore diffident of his own Forces and kept his Army within the Town of Panormus having drawn a Ditch of a very great breadth before his Army but after when he saw in Hasdrubal's Army that in the Front the Elephants did march he commanded the Spear-men to assault them with their Weapons and to retreat immediately back again within their Fortifications The Rulers of the Beasts being moved by this offer of a Fight and disappointed drove the Elephants into the very Ditch in which they were no sooner stop'd and entangled but they were either kill'd by the multitude of Darts cast at them or driven back upon their own Army which they disordered Then Metellus waiting for this Opportunity sallied out of his Trenches with his whole Army assaulted the Carthaginians on all sides routed them and took their Elephants 5. Tamiris Queen of Scythia fighting with Cyrus King of Persia upon an equal Advantage by a pretended Fear led him into certain Streights with which her Souldiers were well acquainted and then turned back on a sudden and by the Assistance of the place overcame him 6. When the Egyptians were to fight a Battel in Fields in which two Marshes met they hid themselves in the Sedge and when the Battel was begun they pretended
neighbouring Wood in the Night so that in the Front they placed the Spaniards lightly armed and fittest for a sudden Surprise and Skirmish next to them such as carried Bucklers and in the Rear the Horsemen and that the neighing of the Horses might not discover the Design he commanded them to rest and keep silence untill the third hour of the day But when Pompey's Souldiers were upon their return loaden with Fodder and secure and that such as kept the Guards were invited by the Quietness of the Enemy to march out and seek also for Forrage first the Spaniards sallied out and fell furiously as the manner of their Nation was upon such as were wandring up and down wounding and cutting them when they least expected it And before Pompey could resist and stop them the Party armed with Bucklers broke out of the Wood and routed such as were rallying together in some order as they were flying the Horsemen were sent out to pursue and slay them all that space that was between them and the Roman Camp and there was care taken that none should escape for the other two hundred and fifty Horsemen being sent galloping before by a nearer way returned and met such as were flying first before they could come to Pompey's Camp Assoon as Pompey understood it he sent out a Legion commanded by Laelius to succour his Men at whose approach the Horsemen drew up on the right hand as if they had given place afterwards they fell by this means upon the back of the Legion at the same time when such as pursued after the Forragers met with it thus was this poor Legion destroyed between two Parties of the Enemy and when Pompey led out his whole Army to assist and relieve it Sertorius also appeared with his Army on the top of the Hills ready for the encounter and hindered Pompey from proceeding farther so that besides a two-fold loss procured by the same Policy he stop'd and made him a Spectator of the Defeat and Destruction of his Men. This was the first Fight between Sertorius and Pompey Ten thousand of Pompey's Army were slain and all their Carriages were lost saith Livius 32. Pompey in Spain having appointed before such as should rise out of a secret place to give the assault pretended that he was afraid and by that means led the pursuing Enemy into difficult places afterwards when he saw his time he set upon them before and on each side and cut them all in pieces and their Captain Perpenna he took Prisoner 33. When the same Pompey was General in Armenia against Mithridates who was the strongest in Horse he hid three thousand lightly armed with five hundred Horsemen in the night in Bushes which were between the two Camps The next Morning betimes he sent out his Horsemen as far as the Enemies Guards so drawn up in Battalia that when he should begin to fight with all the Enemies Cavalry they should in good order give back by degrees untill such time as they might afford time for the Ambuscado to rise behind who were there on purpose All which happening according to his desire with those Troops that seem'd to retreat he cut in pieces the middle Battalion of his Enemy which was out of order and with his Footmen that enter'd Pell-mell he kill'd their Horse so that in that Battel he ruin'd the King's greatest Trust which he repos'd in his Horsemen 34. M. Crassus in the War against the Fugitives near the Mountain Cathena fortified two Camps near that of the Enemies but in the Night chang'd the Souldiers of the one and received them into the other leaving still the General 's Tent in the greatest Camp the better to deceive the enemy he himself drew out all his Forces and made a halt at the foot of the said Mountain and having divided his Cavalry commanded L. Quintius with one part to face Spartacus but not to engage in a Fight with him with the other part of the Cavalry he encounter'd with the Gauls and Germans that were of the Faction of Castus and Gannicus but ordered them to draw them by degrees by a dissembled Fight to the place where he himself stood ready in Battel whom when the barbarous People followed the Cavalry fell into the Wings and suddenly the Roman Army open'd and fell on with a Shout so that thirty five thousand Souldiers were there destroyed with their Commanders as Livius writes five Roman Eagles were recovered six and twenty Colours with much Spoils were taken and amongst them five bundle of Rods with Axes 35. C. Cassius General in Syria against the Parths put his Cavalry forth in the Van but hid his Infantry behind in difficult and steep places afterwards when the Cavalry began to retreat and to save it self by known ways he drew the Parthian Army into the Ambush that was provided for them and cut them in pieces 36. When the Parthians and Labienus were become proud of their Successes and Victories Ventidius the Roman General by keeping in his Army together in their Camp drew them upon him and when he found them in a disadvantageous Post he fell upon them in a Sally and so overthrew them that they forsook Labienus and departed out of the Roman Territories 37. The same Ventidius being General against the Parthians commanded by Pharnastanes and having with him but a small number of Souldiers perceived that the enemies grew more bold because they exceeded them in number therefore he posted at one side of his Camp in a dark Valley eighteen Companies and behind the Foot he drew up his Cavalry then he sent a very few Souldiers to attack the enemy who pretending to fly drew the Parthians who greedily pursued after them beyond the place where the Ambush lay which rising at that instant kill'd the Parthian General Pharnastanes and put the Pursuers to flight 38. C. Caesar when his Camp and that of Afranius stood in two Plains one against another and that it concern'd either of them to be Masters of the neighbouring Hills found it difficult to get them because of the steep Rocks before him he therefore began to retreat back as if he would return to the River Herda The want of Necessaries persuaded Afranius that this was his Purpose but after a little while he took a small compass about to get the Command of the Hills which when the Army of Afranius perceiv'd they were much troubled as if their Camp had been taken they therefore in all haste ran towards those Hills Caesar foreseeing this partly with his Foot which he sent to meet them and partly with his Horse which he appointed to fall upon their Backs he overthrew them 39. Antonius at a City of Italy understanding that the Conful Pansa was come placed an Ambush in the Woods near the Aemilian way assaulted his Troops and put them to flight and gave him such a mortal Wound that he died a few days after 40. King Juba in Africa in the Civil War
War 6. Q. Furius when his Army fled met them and protested that he would receive none of them into his Camp unless they return'd with Victory he led them therefore back and overthrew the Enemies 7. Scipio at the City Numantia in Spain when he saw his Army retreating declared to them That he would treat them as Enemies whosoever did return back into the Camp 8. Servilius Priscus the Dictator when he commanded the Colours to advance against the Enemies the Falisci and that an Ensign delayed to obey him he commanded him to be kill'd This example so affrighted his Souldiers that they assaulted the Enemy courageously 9. Cossus Cornelius Master of the Horse against the Fidenates shewed the same example 10. Tarquinius in the Battel against the Sabins when the Horsemen were loth to fall on took from them their Bridles and commanded them to prick on their Horses and to break through the enemies 11. M. Attilius the Consul in the Samnitick War when part of his Army fled back to his Camp marched against them with another Party telling them that they must either fight with him and their good Citizens unless they would return against the enemy By this means he led them all back into the Fight 12. L. Sylla when the Legions began to yield to the Army of Mithridates led by Archelaus he drew his Sword and ran into the first Battalion and calling to his Souldiers told them If any enquir'd where they had left their General they might answer fighting in Boeotia this made them so much ashamed that they all followed him 13. When Julius Caesar saw his Men give back at Munida he caused his Horse to be led out of his sight and cast himself on foot into the first Battalion The Souldiers being ashamed to forsake their General returned to the Fight again 14. King Philip was afraid that his Men would never be able to resist the Fury of the Scythians he placed therefore behind them his most trusty Horsemen commanding them that they should not suffer any of their Fellow-Souldiers to return out of the Battel and that if any were resolved to fly they should kill them by this threatning he made the most timorous to chuse rather to be kill'd by the enemy than by their own men and got the Victory CHAP. IX Of the prosecuting the remaining part of a War if all things succeed Example 1. WHen C. Marius had overcome in a Battel the Teutoni a People of Germany he encompassed about the rest the next Night that followed the Fight and caus'd a few of his Army to fright them with continual Noise that they might be kept waking all night by that means the next Morning they being tired with watching were more easily brought to yield to him 2. When Claudius Nero had overpower'd the Carthaginian Army which Hasdrubal led out of Spain into Italy he cast the Head of Hasdrubal into Hannibal's Camp by which Action he sorely afflicted and discouraged him with the assurance of the loss of his Brother Asdrubal who was slain and with the despair of Assistance from the approaching Army 3. L. Sylla shewed openly upon Pikes to them of the City Praeneste who were there besieged the Heads of the Captains that were slain in Fight that he might overcome the stiffness of the obstinate Inhabitants 4. In the like manner Arminius the Commander of the Germans caus'd the Heads of them whom he had kill'd in Fight to be held up and shewed near the enemies Camp 5. Domitius Corbulo besieging Tigranocerta perceived that the Armenians were likely to bear the Siege a while he therefore took a certain Man of Megistae in Lycia punished him with Death and shot his Head with a Roman Engine into the Walls of the Town the Head by chance fell in the midst of their Common-Council which was then met together at the sight of which they were so affrighted that they immediately surrendred themselves 6. Hermocrates of Syracuse having overcome in Battel the Athenians was jealous that the great number of Prisoners that he had taken would not be well guarded because the Success of the Fight was like to oblige the Conquerours to give themselves over to feasting and security he therefore spread abroad the Rumour That the next Night the Enemies Cavalry would come upon them which Report made the Guards to be kept with more diligence 7. The same General having had good success in War and for that reason because his Souldiers began to be too secure and to give themselves over to Sleeping and Wine he appointed a Run-away to come into his Camp and to declare That he was escaped thither by Flight to admonish them that there were Ambushes laid for them in every place by the Inhabitants of Syracuse the fear of them brought his Army to a condition of fighting so that when they came to assault him in his Camp they were driven into the Ditehes and were over-powered CHAP. X. Of remedying ill Successes when things happen contrary Example 1. TDidius having had a very fierce Battel in Spain which ended by the coming in of the Night and was remarkable for the great number of Souldiers slain on both sides caus'd many of the dead Bodies of his Men to be buried in the dark Night so that the next day when the Spaniards who went to perform the same Office to their dead Souldiers because they found a greater number of their People slain than of the Romans concluding from thence that they were overcome and yielded to the Articles of the Roman General 2. T. Martius a Roman Knight who commanded the rest of the Army of the two Scipio's who were slain having near him at a few Miles distance two Camps of the Carthaginians encouraged the Souldiers to assault in the dead of the Night the next Camp He found them out of order and secure because of their former Victories so that falling upon them in that condition he left none alive to tell their woful Destruction and Slaughter and the same night having given a little time to his Souldiers to rest he prevented the report of the Execution and assaulted the other Camp so that he had twice the same Success and the Carthaginians were destroyed every where By that means he restored to the People of Rome the Countries of Spain which they had lost CHAP. XI Of preserving such as are wavering in their Obedience and Fidelity Example 1. WHen P. Valerius was afraid of the Perfidiousness of the Inhabitants of Epidaurus because he had but small Forces with him provided at a distance from the Town some Gymnick Plays and when almost all the City went out to see them he shut the Gates and would not suffer the Citizens to return in again till they had delivered some of their principal Men as Hostages 2. Cn. Pompeius having a Jealousie of the Catinienses and fearing that they would not admit his Guards within their Walls intreated them in the mean while to receive his sick men
and suffer them to refresh themselves amongst them which being granted he sent the stoutest of his Souldiers in the Habit and Garb of sick men and with them took the City and kept it for his Use 3. When Alexander had overcome and conquered Thrasia and he was to pass over into Asia because he feared that after his Departure they would take up Arms against him he took with him with an honourable Pretence their Kings their Governours and all such as did seem to be concerned for the Recovery of the Liberty that they had lost he left behind the common People and appointed them Governours out of the meanest of them By this means he obliged their Princes by many good Deeds so that they would not rebell against him and for the common People they were not able to do him mischief when they were deprived of the Assistance of their Princes 4. When Antipater saw the first Army of them of Nestos which upon the News of the Death of Alexander were gathered together to disturb his Government he pretended that he knew not the intent of their coming but gave them Thanks because he supposed that they designed to assist Alexander against the Lacedaemonians and assured them that he would give the King an Account by Letter of their Readiness to serve him But because he had then no need of their help he advis'd them to depart home to their Houses By this subtle Speech he delivered himself from the danger of a Rebellion that threatned him 5. Scipio Africanus being in Spain had a Prisoner amongst the rest a noble Lady and a Virgin of a rare Beauty brought to him which ravish'd the Eyes of all that beheld her he caus'd her to be very well guarded and to be delivered to her Spouse named Luceius and besides he gave the Gold that her Parents brought to him for her Ransom to her Beloved as an Addition to her Dowry By which several Expressions of his Bounty the whole Nation was overcome and yielded to the Roman Empire 6. It is also reported of Alexander the Great that he very carefully preserved a Captive Virgin of a rare Beauty which had been espoused to a neighbouring Prince and would not so much as see her but sent her to her Husband and by this good Deed he got the Favour and the Hearts of the whole Nation 7. When the Emperour Caesar Augustus sirnamed Germanicus in that War in which he overcame the Enemies and purchased to himself the Name of Germanicus was in the Borders of them of Collen and built certain Castles commanded that the Value and Price of the Fruits of those Places which he inclosed within his Fortifications should be paid to the right Owners by the Report of his Equity and just dealing he obliged and confirmed all that Country in their Obedience CHAP. XII What is to be done in a Camp if we have not sufficient Confidence in the present Forces Example 1. T. Quintius the Consul when the Volsci were ready to assault his Camp kept only a Company upon the Guard and sent the rest of the Army to sleep and take their rest only the Trumpeters he ordered to ride about the Fortifications and to sound their Trumpets by which Appearance and Dissimulation he detained and kept off the Enemy all night and the next Morning when they were weary with watching he suddenly sallied out and easily overcame them 2. Q. Sertorius in Spain being too weak for the Enemies Cavalry which was wont to ride up to the sides of his Camp caused in the night Holes to be dig'd in the Ground and drew up his Army before them At last when the Troops of Horse returned according to their former Custom he told his Men that he had found that the Enemies had prepared an Ambush for them and therefore they should not depart from their Colours nor forsake their Ranks which being observ'd according to the Discipline of War he fell by chance into the true Ambushes which because he had foretold his Souldiers they were the more courageous 3. Chares the Athenian General expected some Recruits but was afraid that the Enemy in contempt of his slender Forces would in the mean while assault his Camp he therefore sent a great many of the Souldiers that he had with him on the other side of his Camp away in the Night and commanded them that they should return to him again in the most visible manner to his Enemies and shew the Appearance of Recruits and fresh Succours By this appearance of Recruits he kept off the Enemy untill he was really relieved according to his expectation 4. Iphicrates the Athenian having his Camp in plain Fields and understanding that the Thracians intended to invade and plunder his Camp and that they would come down the Hills by one way that led from the top to the bottom he privately led his Army and placed them on both sides of the way through which the Thracians were to pass and when the Enemy came running down to the Camp where many Fires were purposely made by a few to shew the appearance of the Army continuing there he assaulted them on both sides and overthrew them CHAP. XIII Of Escaping Example 1. WHen the Gauls were to fight with Attalus they delivered to certain Guards all their Gold and Silver and ordered them that if they were put to Flight they should scatter it in the way that whilst the Enemy was busie in gathering it up they might more easily escape them 2. Triphon King of Syria being overcome in Battel scattered in all the way where he fled his Money by that means he detained the Horsemen of Antiochus that pursued him and escaped from them 3. Q. Sertorius being overcome by Q. Metellus Pius and forced to a Retreat and not judging his Flight to be safe commanded his Souldiers to scatter and depart and acquainted them with the place where he advis'd and ordered them to meet all again together 4. Viriatus General of the Lusitanior Portugals escaped from the Roman Army and out of a difficult place in the same manner as Sertorius by scattering his Army and gathering it again together 5. Horatius Cocles when he was pursued by the Army of Porsenna ordered his Souldiers to return into the City over the Bridge and to break it down that the Enemy might not follow which while it was in doing he exposed his Life as the Defender of his City to keep off such as pursued after him And when he had heard the noise of the Bridge falling down he cast himself into the River and pass'd over it loaden not with Arms but with Wounds 6. When Afranius in Spain at the City of Ilerda fled from Caesar who pursued him at the Heels he pitch'd his Camp and when Caesar had done the like and had sent out a Party of his Men for Forrage he suddenly gave a Command to his Army to march 7. When Antonius retreated with his Army which was followed by the
of War which I have therefore separated because though they be sufficiently known they are of another kind And I have here mentioned them lest any should meet with them by chance in reading and by the resemblance they have with the former Practices should unadvisedly think them to be omitted Truly we must express them as belonging to the former things and as before I shall endeavour to place them under several Heads in the same order The Contents of the Chapters CHap. 1. Of the Discipline of War Chap. 2. Of the Consequence of such Discipline Chap. 3. Of Continency Chap. 4. Of Justice Chap. 5. Of Constancy Chap. 6. Of Affection and Moderation Chap. 7. Of various Counsels Resolutions and Advices CHAP. 1. Of the Discipline of War Example 1. P. Scipio reformed the Roman Army spoiled by the Slothfulness of their former Generals by sending away a vast number of their Servants and Slaves and obliging the Souldiers to perform their daily Exercises and Offices He commanded them likewise to march very often and to carry the Food of many days with them so that by that means the Souldiers were used to endure the Cold and Rain and to pass on foot through the Fords of Rivers And the General did blame and exclaim against Timorousness and Sloth breaking all their useless Vessels that were cumbersome in their Expeditions which happen'd very remarkably to C. Mevius the Tribune unto whom Scipio is reported to have said Thou wilt be an ill man to me for a little while but to thy self and the Common-wealth always 2. Q. Metellus in the War against Jugurtha restored again the Discipline of War which was likewise decayed by imitating the same Severity and forbidding the use of any other Flesh to the Souldiers but what was by himself ordered to be rosted and boiled 3. Pyrrhus used to say to such as he sent to gather Souldiers Chuse me the ablest Bodies and I will make them stout and couragious 4. When L. Flaccus and C. Varro were Consuls Livius names them L. Aemilius Paulus and Terentius Varro then were Souldiers first made by taking an Oath for before the custom was for a Tribune or a Colonel to ask of them whether they would devote themselves for the Service of their Country Then did they agree together and promise with a Curse that they would never depart to save themselves by flight or for fear and that they would never go out of their Ranks but to take their Weapons to strike an Enemy or to save a Citizen 5. When Scipio Africanus saw a Buckler of a certain Souldier adorned more beautiful than the rest he told him that he did not wonder at his care and diligence in beautifying it because he depended more upon it for his safety than upon his Sword 6. When Philip first made up his Army he forbad them all the use of Waggons and would not suffer a Horsemen to have more than one Servant and to ten foot Souldiers he appointed likewise a Servant who was to carry for them when they went out into the Field their Meat and their Ropes commanding them to bear upon their Backs the Meal needful for thirty days 7. C. Marius to shorten the Baggage and Carts of the Army which did most incumber it fitted up the Souldiers Food and Vessels needful in bundels hanging them behind their Backs upon crooked Staves which was easie for them to carry and lean upon from hence is derived the Proverb Muli Mariani Marius 's Mules 8. When Theagenes the Athenian led an Army against Megara he answered to those that asked for their Ranks and Places that he would appoint them one there He sent afterwards his Horsemen before secretly commanding them as Enemies to assault their own Friends by this means he approved those Souldiers that he had to meet and encounter with the Enemy And he suffered them to rank themselves as they pleased so that whereas the most timerous did fall back in the Rear and the stoutest were found in the Front As he found every man standing in that manner he advanced them to the Military Orders and Places 9. Lysander the Lacedemonian reproving a certain Soldier gone out of his way had this answer from him that he had not left his Company to steal but he replyed I will not have thee give the least suspicion of Stealth 10. When Antigonus heard that his Son was gone into a man's House who had Three Beautiful Daughters I hear said he my Son that thou hast but a narrow Lodging where so many Dames do command the House Take I advise thee a larger Dwelling and he ordered him to depart out withall made a Law that none should under Fifty years of Age in the Army lodge in a dwelling House 11. Q. Metellus the Consul though he was not hindred by any Law from receiving his Son alwaies in his Tent yet he appointed him to fight and to live as the other Soldiers and to endure the same hardship 12. P. Rutilius the Consul though the Laws suffered him to have his Son with him in his Tent yet he made him a Soldier in one of his Legions 13. T. Scaurus forbad his Son to come into his presence because he had given back and yielded Ground to the Enemy in a Wood near Trent The young Man oppressed therefore with Grief and Shame kill'd himself The Romans and other Nations anciently were used to pitch their Camps every where according to their Companies as so many distinct Villages for none but Towns had Walls and Fortifications But Pirrhus King of Epirus was the first that intrenched in an Army Afterwards the Romans having beaten him in the Fields of Arusina near the City Beneventum and taken his Camp they observed the manner of his pitching and by degrees are now arrived to that perfection of Encamping which is now in use 14. P. Nasica being in his winter Quarters tho he had no need of a Fleet lest the Soldiers should be spoiled by lazyness or for want of Employment be tempted to do mischief to their Friends resolved to build Ships 15. M. Cato hath left upon Record that some of his fellow-Soldiers were condemned to lose their Hands for being taken stealing and when a milder Punishment was imposed they were let bloud before the Generals Tent. 16. Clearthus the Lacedemonian General was wont to say to his Army That a Commander ought to be more fear'd than an Enemy He meant by those who were afraid to dye in the Battle but if they run away a certain Punishment and Execution was to be their reward 17. The Judgment of Appius Claudius was that those who had been taken by King Pyrrhus and were sent home to the Senate That the Horsemen should be reduced to fight on Foot the Footmen should be degraded and that all should abide out of their Trenches untill each of them should kill and produce the Spoils of two men of their Enemies 18. Otacilius Crussus the Conful commanded those who had
but of all the Spoils he converted so little to his own use that the Senate gave his Daughter a Portion out of the Publick Treasury CHAP. IV. Of Justice Example 1. WHen Camillus besieged the Falisci in their Town there was a certain School-master that led the Children of some of the Falisci out of the Walls as if he had intended only to walk with them abroad but under that pretence he deliver'd them to Camillus and for the recovery of the Children the City would submit to him Camillus abhorr'd his perfidiousness and caused him to have his hands bound behind and commanded the Children to whip him back into the the Town again to their Parents By this just dealing he obtained the Victory which he desired not to obtain by fraud for this Equitable Proceeding made the Falisci to yield to him willingly 2. The Physitian of King Pyrrhus went to Fabricius General for the Romans promising him that he would give his Master Poison if before-hand he might have the assurance of a considerable Reward Fabricius thinking that he had no need of such a foul Deed to get the Victory discovered the Plot and the Author to the King This caused him to seek and desire earnestly the Roman's Friendship CHAP. V. Of Constancy Example 1. CN Pompeius when his Soldiers threatned to plunder and take his Treasure which was to be carryed in Trumph and Servilus and Glaucia two Romans advised him to divide it amongst them to prevent a Tumult he assured them that he would not ride in Triumph but rather dye than to yield to the Licentiousness of his Soldiers Having therefore reproved them severely in a Speech he cast down before them the Bundles of Rods carryed before him which were crowned with Lawrel bidding them to begin their Plunder by the spoiling of them This proceeding made them so ashamed that they continued in their Obedience 2. C. Caesar in the Heat of the Civil War in a Sedition of his Soldiers when they were therefore the bolder disbanded a whole Legion and cut off the Heads of their Leaders with his Axes but a little after when they who were disbanded petition'd for a Pardon he received them again and they proved to him some of his best Soldiers 3. Postumius who had been Consul encouraged his Soldiers to fight and when they demanded what he would order he cryed out That they would imitate him with that he takes the Colours and marched strait against the Enemy they likewise followed and got the Victory 4. L. Marcellus falling unadvisedly into the hands of the Gauls rid round about to spy out some way to escape and when he found that the Enemies had possessed all the Passages he prayed to the Gods and broke into the midst of his Enemies who were affrighted at his unexpected Boldness and kill'd their Leader so that when there was scarce any appearance to escape with Life he overcame the General and carryed away his Arms. 5. When L. Paulus had lost his Army at the Battle of Cannae Lentulus offered him a Horse to fly but he would not survive his ill Success which had not been occasioned by him but continued upon that Rock where he had been wounded and against which he leaned untill the Enemy came overpowr'd and kill'd him 6. Varro his Partner shewed a greater Constancy after that defeat The Senate and People returned him their Thanks because he had not despair'd of defending the Commonwealth He shewed sufficiently that he preserved himself not out of a desire of living so much as out of a Love for his Country for he let his Beard and Hair grow out to a length and never after would rest to take his Meat And when the People offer'd him Honours he refused them saying That the Commonwealth had need of more successful Magistrates 7. Sempronius Sirnamed Tuditanus and C. Octavius Tribunes of the Soldiers when all was lost at the Battle of Cannae and they were besieged by the Enemy in the lesser Camp perswaded the Soldiers with their Swords in their hands to break through with them the Enemies Guards assuring them that this was their Resolution though none should have the Courage besides themselves There were but Twelve partly Horsemen partly Footmen of all the rest who had the boldness to keep them company and with these they came safe to Canusium a Roman Garrison 8. C. Fontejus Crassus in Spain going out to forage with Three Thousand Men was surrounded in a difficult passage by Hasdrubal He acquainted only the first Ranks of his Soldiers with his Design and in the beginning of the Night when he was least expected he broke through the Enemies Post 9. P. Dicius the Tribune in the Samnitick War when Cornelius Cossus the Consul was caught in a difficult place advised him to send a small Party to possess a neighbouring hill and offer'd himself to lead that Party By this means he drew the Enemy to another place and opened a way for the Consul to escape but in that Station they besieged Derius and surrounded him He in the Night sallyed out of those Streights and came safe with his Soldiers to the Consul 10. The same Policy was practiced under the Command of Attilius Calatinus the Consul by him whose Name is variously recorded Some call him Laberius others Q. Ceditius many Calpurnius Flamma When this Man saw his Army led into such a Valley where all the Hills round about were possessed by the Enemy he desired the Consul to give him the heading of Three Hundred Men which being granted he exhorted them by their Courage to save their Army with this Party he ran down into the middle of the Valley and when the Enemies on all sides came to destroy them he detained them so long in a sharp fight that the Consul had time to draw and lead out his Army 11. C. Caesar marching against the Germans and their King Ariovistus with his Army perceived that his Soldiers were terrified he called them together therefore and told them that he would make use that day of none of his Legions but only of the Tenth Legion By this saying he encouraged the Soldiers of that Legion to behave themselves most manfully and the others were moved with shame to fight that the others might not carry away all the Honour and Glory of the Field 12. A certain Noble Man of Lacedemon when King Philip threatned to punish them with Fines if they did not deliver up their City answered He can never hinder us from dying for our Country 13. Leonidas the Lacedemonian when one told him that the Persians with the multitude of their Arrrows would make a Cloud answered We shall then fight the better in the shade 14. When Caelius the City Praeaor was doing Justice in the Seat of Judicature a Magpy pitcht upon his Head And the Roman Southsayers told him that if he did let go the Bird the Enemies would obtain the Victory over the Romans but if he kill'd the Bird
CHAP. II. Of discovering the Counsels of the Enemies Example 1. SCipio Africanus taking an occasion to send an Embassy to King Syphax with Laelius he dispatched some choice Collonels and Captains in the habit of Servants and Attendants to spy out the strength of the Enemy And that they might more freely take a view of the Camp they let loose a Horse for this purpose which they followed and by this means went round the greatest part of their Fortifications of which when they had given an Account to Scipio he made an end of that War by setting Fire to their Camp 2. Q. Fabius Maximus in the Hetrurian War when yet the Roman Captains were not well acquainted with the wisest ways of discovering ordered his Brother Fabius Caeso well learned in the Hetrurian Language to take that Garb and to go into the Forest of Ciminia unknown before to the Roman Souldiers in which Embassy he behaved himself with so much Prudence and Industry that he drew the Vmbri Camertes a considerable People who were not averse to the Roman Common-wealth to joyn in Society and League with them 3. When the Carthaginians saw that Alexander's Power did so wonderfully increase and that he did threaten Africa also they appointed a subtle Person one of their Citizens named Hamilcar of Rhodes to go to the King in the disguise of a banish'd Man and by all means to insinuate himself into his Acquaintance and Friendship which when he had obtained he reveal'd to his Citizens all the Designs and Resolutions of this Conquerour 4. The same Carthaginians sent some of their own Citizens as Ambassadours to remain a considerable time at Rome that they might understand the purposes of the Romans 5. When M. Cato was in Spain and could no other ways come to the knowledge of the Enemies Designs he ordered three hundred Souldiers to make an Assault upon them in their Post and to take one of them by force and carry him into his Camp who being put to the Torture revealed all the Secrets of his own People 6. C. Marius the Consul in the Cimbrick and Teutonick War sent Letters to the Gauls and Lygurians to know whether they continued faithful to the Roman State In the beginning he commanded them that they should not unseal nor read what was clos'd up untill a prefixed time And before that time he sent to demand the same Letters which when he sound to be unseal'd he understood that they intended to joyn with the Enemy There is also another way of Discovery by which Generals without any outward help have been able to foresee things of themselves For Example 7. Aemilius Paulus or rather L. Aemilius Papus Consul in the Hetrurian War being at the head of his Army to lead them into a Plane saw a far off a great number of Birds rise swifter than ordinary out of a Wood by that he understood that there was some Ambuscade hid because the Birds were disturb'd and because many rose up together he sent out therefore Scouts who brought him Intelligence That ten thousand of the Helvetians called Boii were there ready to receive the Romans which News caused him to march with his Legions another way than was expected to Attack them 8. Likewise Tisamenes the Son of Orestes understanding that the Enemy held the top of a Mountain which was strong by Situation he sent some to inquire out the Truth who brought word that it was no such thing as he imagin'd but proceeding on in his way he saw a vast number of Birds to fly together out of that Mountain that would not pitch by them he perceived that the Enemies Troops were there hid he led therefore his Army another way and escaped the Ambushes that were laid for him 9. Asdrubal the Brother of Hannibal understood too late that Livie's Army and Nero's were joyned together though they endeavoured to conceal it by lodging together in the same Camp for he saw their Horses look thin with the Journey and took notice of the Bodies of them bearing the colour of the High-ways through which they had travelled CHAP. III. Of setling or chusing the state of War Example 1. ALexander of Macedon having a lusty Army of stout men to follow him did always chuse to fight his Enemy in a pitch'd Battel 2. C. Caesar in the Civil War had an Army of old Souldiers but he knew that his Enemies were but raw and unexperienced he endeavoured therefore always to give the Battel 3. Fabius Maximus being General against Hannibal who was grown insolent and proud with the Successes of the former Fights resolved to avoid the doubtful Hazards of a Battel and only to defend his Country He deserved therefore the Name and Renown thereby of a wise General 4. They of Byzantium shun'd all occasions of fighting with King Philip's Army and forsook also their Borders to shelter themselves within the Walls of their City which caus'd the Macedonians impatient of the Delays of a Siege to depart away 5. Hasdrubal the Son of Gisgon commanded an Army in Spain in the second Punick War when Scipio prest upon him he disperst his Army and sent them to the Cities by this means Scipio was forced to lead away also his Army into their Winter Quarters that he might not divide his by the Siege of many Towns at once 6. When Xerxes was entring into Greece with his Army Themistocles judged that the Athenians were not able to fight him by Land nor to defend their Borders nor to maintain their Walls he advis'd them therefore to transport their Wives and Children to Troezenum and other Cities to forsake their Town betake themselves to their Ships and resolve to fight by Sea 7. This was the same Advice that Pericles gave to the same City in War against the Lacedaemonians 8. When Hannibal was in Italy Scipio sailed over with his Army into Africa and compell'd the Carthaginians to call back Hannibal by this means he removed the Seat of War from his own Country into the Enemies Borders 9. The Lacedaemonians having taken and fortified a Castle of the Athenians called Decelea from whence they did much mischief to them sent their Navy to land and spoil the Peloponnesus by this means they oblig'd the Lacedaemonian Army which was at Decelea to be call'd home to defend their own Country 10. The Emperour Caesar Domitianus Augustus when the Germans according to their Custom made sudden Onsets upon the Romans out of their Woods and secret Retreats returning immediately back in safety in the bottom of their Copses he set Guards round at 120000. Paces from one another and thus alter'd the manner of War oblig'd the Enemy to surrender themselves when he had deprived them of their Retreats CHAP. IV. Of leading an Army through a Country in the Power of the Enemy Example 1. AEMilius Papus Consul leading his Army against the Luceni in a narrow Passage where the Navy of Tarentum waited in Ambush to discharge upon their Troops a
6. In the Carthaginian War some Cities purposed to forsake the Romans and joyn with the Carthaginians but having given Hostages they desired to recover them first into their hands before they fell away they therefore pretended that there was a Sedition amongst the Neighbours which the Roman Ambassadors ought to appease whom being sent they kept them in lieu of their Hostages and would not suffer them to depart till they had their own return'd back 7. When the Roman Ambassadours were sent to King Antiochus who had with him Hannibal after that the Carthaginians were subdued to make use of his advice against the Romans by frequent visiting and Discourses with Hannibal they made him to be suspected by the King who otherwise would have highly favoured him and to whom he had been very useful because of his subtilty and knowledge in War 8. Q. Metellus making War against Jugurtha prevailed with Money upon the King's Ambassadors to betray their Master and when others were sent he corrupted them also and likewise the third but the business succeeded not so far as to get Jugurtha into his hands for he desired to have him delivered alive nevertheless many things happened from thence for when the Letters which he writ to the Kings Friends were intercepted he caused them all to be put to Death whereby he was deprived of good Counsel and could not get nor procure to himself any other Friends 9. When C. Caesar understood by a certain Water-bearer which he had intercepted that Afranius and Petreius would by night remove and march out of their Camp that he might without any trouble to his Men hinder the purpose and intent of his Enemies in the beginning of the night he commanded his Souldiers to give the signal for the taking up and loading of their Baggage and the Mules to be driven along by the Enemies Camp with noise and hurry This caused them to keep in their Camp for they imagined that Caesar was marching away 10. Scipio Africanus for the more convenient receiving of Supplies of Men and Provisions sent Venticius Thermus to Hannibal to treat with him while he in the mean space went to help their landing 11. Dionysius the King of Syracuse when a vast number of Africans were to pass over into Sicily to fight him sortified several Castles in many places and commanded the Garrisons to deliver them to the Enemy assoon as they should come and to return secretly to Syracuse The Africans were forced to keep Guards in the Castles that they had taken so that when he saw the rest reduced to that small number that he desired he with equal Forces assaulted and overcame them for by this Policy he gathered all his Strength together and scattered the Enemies 12. When Agesilaus the Lacedaemonian made War upon Tisaphernes he pretended to invade the Country of Caria as the fittest place being full of Mountains to encounter with the Persians who were numerous in Horse By the divulging of this Design he caused Tisaphernes to wait for him in Caria while he broke into Lydia where the chief City of that Government was Having therefore overcome such as were left there he got into his Possession the King's Treasury CHAP. IX Of pacifying the Seditions of Souldiers Example 1. A Manlius the Consul understanding that the Souldiers who were in their Winter Quarters in Campania had plotted together to cut the Throats of their Landlords and to plunder their Goods sent word that another Party should be there in the same Winter Quarters By this means he spoil'd the Purpose of the Conspirators freed the Country from the danger and took occasion to punish the Offenders 2. L. Sylla when some Legions of the Roman Citizens broke out furiously into a dangerous Sedition restored them again to a peaceable Temper by this Policy He caused the News to be quickly spread that the Enemies Army was at hand and a noise to be made to run to their Arms and the Signal of the Battel to be given by this means the Sedition ended and all joyned together to encounter the Enemy 3. Cn. Pompeius when his Army had killed the Senate of Milan that he might not cause any tumult by calling to him only such as were guilty commanded some that had no hand in the Crime to come together with the Murderers who were the less afraid because they were not separated from the rest neither did they seem to be called out because of their Fault They all appeared and they who were guiltless were careful to keep the Criminals from an Escape lest they should be blamed for their Flight 4. C. Caesar when some of his Legions were so furiously seditious as to threaten the death of their Leaders dissembled his fear and went strait to his Souldiers who desired to be discharged which he granted with an angry Countenance When they were at liberty he oblig'd them to Repentance to give satisfaction to him their General and to become more obedient for the future in performing all the Duties and Works of a Souldier CHAP. X. How to give a Check to the unseasonable impatience and desire of fighting Example 1. Q. Sertorius having found by experience that he was an unequal Match to the whole Roman Army together that he might make the barbarous and ignorant People of Spain who unadvisedly desired to fight sensible thereof he caused two Horses to be brought the one strong and lusty the other very little and weak and put two Young-men answerable to them the one strong and the other slender To the strong man he commanded to pull off the Tail of the weak Horse at once to the slender person to pluck the Hairs off the lusty Horse one by one when therefore the slender Person had done what he was ordered and the strong Person did strive in vain about the Tail of the weak Horse now saith Sertorius to his Souldiers by this example I have discovered to you the Condition of the Roman Troops they are not to be overcome if you assault them together but you may break and destroy them if you come upon them when separated 2. The same Sertorius when he took notice that his Souldiers unadvisedly demanded the Signal of the Battel and judged that they would break out into a Tumult if they did not fight suffered one Troop of Horse to attack the Enemy when they were over-powered he sent more to assist them thus he received them all safe in their Retreat and without any loss He discovered to them what would have been the issue of the Fight which they desired After this they were much more obedient to his Orders and Command 3. Agesilaus the Lacedaemonian having pitched his Camp upon the Banks of a River against the Thebans and understanding that the Enemy did far exceed him in number was resolved to keep his Men from the desire of a Battel by telling them that the Gods had advised him to fight from the Hills therefore having left a small Guard upon the
Confidence enough in our present Forces Chap. 13. Of the manner how to make an Escape CHAP. I. Of the time to be chosen for a Battel Example 1. P. Scipio when he was in Spain understood that Hasdrubal the Carthaginian General had commanded his Army out to fight without their Breakfast he therefore kept in his Men till the seventh hour of the day and ordered them in the mean while to rest and refresh themselves with food and when the Enemy tir'd with Hunger Thirst and waiting were marching again into their Camp he led out suddenly his Army gave them Battel and routed them 2. When Metellus Pius General in Spain against Herculeius saw that he brought forth his Men by break of day before his Camp in the hottest Season of the Year he kept in his Forces within his Camp till the sixth hour of the day and when they were tired with the fervency of the Sun he easily overcame with his fresh men such as were thus wearied out 3. The same Metellus having joyned his Forces with those commanded by Pompeius against Sertorius in Spain often drew up his Army in order of Battel the Enemy in the mean while not judging himself able to encounter with both Generals At last when he saw that the Souldiers of Sertorius demanded very furiously to fight lifting up their Shoulders and stretching out their Launces he advised to give way for that time to their unusual Fervency and to retreat into his Camp with his men and perswaded Pompey to do the like 4. Posthumius the Consul in Sicilia encamped about three Miles from the Carthaginian Army Their Generals drew up every day their Troops in order before the Fortifications of the Romans but he entertained them always with small Parties and light Skirmishes before his Works untill the Enemy began to despise and grow insolent by this Custom Then having provided all things needful in the night according to his former Custom he resisted the Onsets of his Enemies with a few of his Men and kept them in Play longer than ordinary When they were sufficiently tired out after the sixth hour of the day and they were ready to sound a Retreat being very hungry with his fresh Men he soon routed them that were overcome before with the forementioned Evils 5. Iphicrates the Athenian understanding at what time the Enemies were diligently taking their Food commanded his Men to dispatch their eating sooner that he might lead them out to Battel And having assaulted the Enemy he so entangled them that they could neither fight nor escape At last towards the Evening he retreated with his Army but kept them in Arms. The Enemies being weary with standing upon their Guard and Hunger immediately hasted to refresh themselves with Rest and Food Then did Iphicrates lead out his Army and assault the disorder'd Enemy in their Camp 6. The same Person being General against the Lacedaemonians pitched his Camp near to the Enemies and when both Parties were accustomed to march out at set times to bring in Wood and Forrage on a certain day he sent out a Party of Servants and Scullions to perform this Office and kept in his Souldiers and when the Enemies were scattered to provide the same things he took their Camp and when they ran back in haste at the noise of the Tumult with their Burdens he easily cut them in pieces or took them Prisoners 7. Veriginius the Consul amongst the Volsci when he spied the Enemy running to them from far in disorder commanded his men to rest with their Javelins fixed in the Ground then when they were out of Breath he charged them with the fresh Companies of his Army and routed them 8. Q. Fabius Maximus knowing that the Gauls and the Samnites were used to prevail in the first Onset and that the Courage of his Men was not to be wearied out but increas'd the more by the delays of fighting commanded them to be content in the first Encounter to defend themselves that by degrees they might weary the Enemy which accordingly succeeded he then came on to assist them with the reserve and in the first Battalion with all his Forces he routed the oppressed Enemy 9. King Philip in the Battel of Cheronca knowing that his Souldiers were hardned by their long use of Arms purposely drew in length the Fight that he had with the Athenians which was fierce indeed but without experience and sharp because of their furious Assault but when the Athenians began to faint he advanc'd more speedily with his Colours and cut them in pieces 10. The Lacedaemonians understanding for certain that the Messenians were so enraged that they were come to fight against them with their Wives and Children delayed the Fight till another time 11. C. Caesar in the Civil War when the Army of Afranius and Petreius was enclosed in by him and wanted Water and therefore provok'd to fight when they had destroyed all their Carriages to enter into the Battel he kept in his men judging it no fit time to fight when he had provok'd his Enemies to Anger and Despair 12. Cn. Pompeius desiring to force Mithridates who was flying to fight him chose to encounter him in the Night and to stop him in his Retreat and thus being well prepared he drove him suddenly to the Necessity of a Battel and so drew up his Army that Mithridates his men had the light of the Moon in their Faces which shewed to the Romans more plainly their Enemies in the night 13. It is certain that Jugurtha not unmindful of the Romans Skill and Courage in Arms was always wont to begin a Fight towards the evening that if his Men were beaten they might have the advantage of the night to hide themselves 14. Lucullus General against Mithridates and Tigranes in Armenia the greater near Tigranocerta finding that he had in his Army only fifteen thousand fighting men and that his Enemies were an innumerable multitude but unexperienc'd and unfit for Fight made use of their Weakness encounter'd them when they were out of order and suddenly routed them in such a manner that the two Kings were forced to cast away their Royal Ornaments and to fly 15. Cl. Tiberius Nero fighting against the Pannoni when those barbarous People marched out furiously to the Battel by break of day kept in his Men and staid till the Enemy was well beaten with Storms and Rain which happened that day to be frequent At last when he saw that they fainted both in Courage and Strength by standing in the Rain he gave the Signal charged and routed them 16. When C. Caesar was General amongst the Gauls he understood that Ariovistus the King of the Germans had resolved and appointed this as a Law to his Souldiers not to fight when the Moon was in its Decrecency He therefore then chiefly having appointed the Battel when the Enemy was hindred by Superstition overcame them 17. D. Augustus Vespasianus assaulted the Jews on their Sabbath-day when it was
unlawful for them to act any thing of Moment and overcame them 18. Lysander the Lacedaemonian General against the Athenians at the Town of Aegospotamos resolved at certain times to break in upon the Athenian Navy and to retreat back again with his Ships which having performed often when the Athenians after his Departure were scattered to gather their Forces together he according to his former Custom stretch'd out his Navy in length and again commanded them together And when the greater part of the Enemies according to custom were departed he assaulted the rest destroyed them and took the whole Fleet. CHAP. II. Of the Place to be chosen for a Fight Example 1. WHen M. Curius saw that he could by no means resist the Phalanx or the Body of ten thousand Pikes of King Pyrrhus when they were joyned together in an open Field ordered the matter so that he was to fight in a streight and narrow place where being close together they might be an hinderance to one another 2. Cn. Pompeius in Cappadocia chose a place for his Camp in the higher Ground that the proclivity of the Hill might assist the charging of his Souldiers so that by their running down he easily overcame Mithridates and his Army 3. When C. Caesar was to fight against Pharnaces the Son of Mithridates he drew up his Men in Battel on a Hill which much facilitated the gaining of the Victory for the Roman Souldiers casting their Darts from the higher Ground upon the Enemy quickly caused them to turn their Backs 4. When Lucullus was to encounter with Mithridates and Tigranes in the greater Armenia near Tigranacerta he got possession in haste of a plain Ground which was on the top of a Hill with part of his Troops and then assaulted the Enemy which was under charged their Horse in the Flanks and having driven part of them and pursued them when they ran in and disordered their Foot he obtain'd a most famous Victory 5. Ventidius General against the Parthian Army would not lead out his Souldiers to the Fight till the Enemy was within fifty Paces and then by running suddenly upon them he closed in with them so near that he frustrated their Arrows which they made use of at a distance by this proceeding he shewed such an appearance of Confidence and Courage that he quickly overcame those barbarous People 6. When Hannibal was to fight against Marcellus at Numistro he plac'd his Army amongst the Pits and broken ways on one hand and made use of the nature of the place as a Wall and a Defence Thus he got the Victory and overcame a most famous Captain 7. When the same Hannibal at the Battel of Cannae understood that the River Volturnus beyond the nature of other Rivers yielded strong Winds in the Morning which raised up great Clouds of Sand and Dust he drew up his Army in such a manner that all the violence of the Wind beat upon the Backs of his Men and into the Faces and Eves of the Romans by these Inconveniencies which wonderfully incommoded the Roman Army he got that remarkable Victory 8. Marius having appointed a day to fight against the Cimbri and Teutones placed before his Camp his Souldiers strengthened with Food that by the little distance that was between them and their Enemies their Army might be first overcome by their labour in gaining it and besides their weariness in running this space he gave them another Trouble he drew up his Men so that the Army of those barbarous People had the Sun the Wind and the Dust in their Faces 9. Cleomenes the Lacedaemonian General against Hippias the Athenian who was the stronger in Horse caused Trees to be laid along the Plane where they were to fight and rendered it unpassable to the Horse 10. The Iberi were received by a vast multitude of the Enemies and fearing that they should be surrounded marched to the sides of a River which in that Country had high Banks Thus being defended behind by the River and excelling the Enemy in Valour they assaulted the first Ranks and destroyed the whole Army of their Enemies 11. Xanthippus the Lacedaemonian changed the Fortune of the Carthaginian War only by the change of a place for when the Carthaginians were almost reduced to despair they hired him to be their General When he took notice that the Africans who excelled and exceeded the Romans in Horse and Elephants drew up on the Hills and that the Romans whose Strength consisted in their Foot held the Valleys he led the Carthaginians down to them with his Elephants he disordered their Ranks and with the Numidian Horse he pursued the dispersed Souldiers and routed their Army winning the same day a Victory both by Sea and Land 12. When Epaminondas the Theban General was leading his Army against the Lacedaemonians he caused a Party of Horse to ride up and down before that they might raise a great Dust before the Enemies eyes when they expected the Horse to fall upon them he led about his Foot Souldiers from that side where the Horse were riding against the Enemy and fell upon them suddenly in the Rear and overcame them 13. Three hundred Lacedaemonians held and defended the Streights called Thermopylae against an innumerable multitude of Persians because those Streights would not suffer a greater number to fight at once near at hand by this means they being equal in number to those barbarous People but excelling them in Valour and Courage cut in pieces a great many of them neither could they have been overcome if it had not been for a Traitor named Epialtes of Trachinia who led the Persians round about upon their Backs and overpower'd them 14. Themistocles the Athenian General when he saw that it would be very much for the Advantage of Greece to fight with Xerxes his numerous Navy in the Streights of Salamini and could not perswade his Citizens by craft he brought to pass that the Grecians were forc'd to comply with this Advantage for pretending himself a Traitor he sent to Xerxes to signifie to him that his Countrymen were ready to fly away and that it would be far more difficult for him to assault every City by a Siege By this means he brought to pass that the Persian Navy was first disquieted while they were watching all night afterwards in the Morning he with his fresh men encounter'd with the said Persians tired with want of Rest in a streight place as he desired in which Xerxes could not make use of his numbers in which he did exceed CHAP. III. Of ordering and drawing up an Army in Battel c. Example 1. CN Scipio General in Spain against Hanno at the Town of Indibile took notice that the Carthaginian Army was so ordered that the Spaniards were to fight in the right Wing who were indeed the stoutest Souldiers but mercenary and warred not for themselves but for others and that in the left Wing were the Africans a weaker sort of Men but more
the Gauls the Ligurians the Baleares and the Moors that they might not be able to fly away the Carthaginians being next behind that they might in the first encounter with the Enemy disturb or weary them after them he placed his own Men and the macedonians who might receive the tired Romans afresh and in the Rear he put the Italians whose Constancy and Courage he suspected because he had drawn many of them out of Italy against their Wills Scipio against this Order drew up the strength of the Legions in three Battalions in the Front dividing them into Hastati Principes and Triarii that is first Spear-men next such as were of a gentile and noble Descent last another sort of Souldiers of the Roman Army who did commonly march and fight in the Rear Neither were the Companies close together but he left a space between every one that the Elephants that were driven against them by the Enemy might pass by without disordering the Ranks and those Intervals he fill'd up with such Souldiers as were lightly armed and nimble in Onsets and Retreats This he did that his Army might not appear divided into several Bodies He commanded these nimble Souldiers that at the first approach of the Elephants they should retreat and march to the sides of the Battalions He placed next his Horse and divided them into two Wings the right being Roman Horsemen he assign'd to Lelius over the left compos'd of Numidians he appointed King Massanissa which prudent Order was no doubt the Cause of the Victory It will not be unpleasing to the Reader to give here a short Account of the drawing up of Scipio's Army which procured him one of the most famous Victories of Antiquity together with the Honour of the Triumph and to the Romans the Dominion over their false Carthaginian Neighbours T. Livius describes this Battel l. 30. c. 33. in the same manner as Frontinus The Strength and good Successes depended upon the good Order and Preservation of the Ranks of their Army which was made up of several distinct Legions The Legion in Scipio's time had in it 4200 Souldiers 1200 Hastati or Spear-men 1200 Principes 600 Triarii 1200 Velites or lightly arm'd The Legion was divided into ten Cohorts or distinct Companies in which were 120 Hastati 120 Principes 60 Triarii and 120 Velites Scipio's Cohors belonging to every Legion is thus represented The Hastati 120 40 The Velites The Principes 120 40 The Triarii 60 40 In every Cohors or Company were three Manipuli or small Bands each under one Captain or Centurion I find some difference in the Roman Authors in the numbers of their Legions and in their ordering of an Army Romulus their first Founder as he was but a little Prince his Army was but small and his Legion less With the increase of their Empire their Legions and Cohorts did increase in number The Legion as in Caesar's time had 6000 men in it and so proportionably their Cohorts were more numerous than formerly but that which gave them a great Advantage over all other Nations was their Skill in drawing up of their Armies according to the Place and Enemy with whom they were to fight Scipio in this Battel appointed the Strength of his Legions to be in the Front whereas other Generals use to place their chiefest Men in the Rear or to keep them for the Reserve Take here a Scheme of each Legion of Scipio's Army according to the Description of Frontinus and Livy The Legion of 4200 Souldiers divided into thirty Bands or Companies under their distinct Leaders or Captains with that order and space between each Company that was observed by Scipio when he overcame Hannibal in Africa 1. The Battalion of Spear-men or Hastati 120 120 120 120 120 120 120 120 120 120 2. The Principes 120 120 120 120 120 120 120 120 120 120 3. The Triarii 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 Â The Intervals or Spaces between were filled up and made good with Velites or Souldiers lightly armed They had that excellent way that let the ground be never so unfit for a pitch'd Battel they would bring them up in that order that one Company was to second another and relieve such as were weary or over-power'd who could easily retreat without damage and fall in the Rear And though the difference of Arms now causeth us to differ much from their way yet the wisest Generals as Spinola Prince Maurice and others have profess'd themselves to be indebted to the Romans for some of their skill and cunning in ordering an Army 17. Archelaus fighting against Sylla in the Front of the Battel appointed Carts armed with Sythes to break and disorder the Roman Ranks in the second he placed his Macedonian Phalanx or 10000 Pikemen in the third Battalion were according to the Roman Method the Auxiliary Troops mingled with the Fugitives come out of Italy in whose Courage and Resolution he had a great Confidence In the Rear he drew up a Body of Souldiers lightly armed and in the Wings he placed his Horsemen of whom he had a great number and ordered them to enclose in the Enemy But Sylla on the contrary side caused a large Ditch to be dig'd on each hand of his Army and at the end of the Ditches he raised a Bulwark to defend it to this end that he might not be shut in with the vast numbers of the Foot and chiefly of the Enemy's Horse who were stronger than his Next he divided his Foot into three Bodies leaving Spaces between for the Souldiers lightly armed and for his Horse he drew them up in the Rear that when time should serve he might send them out to charge the Enemy and commanded the first Ranks of the second Battel to fix fast in the Ground many sharp Stakes thick together so that when the Carts armed with Sythes drew near he caused the foremost of the Romans to retreat within the Stakes before their Cohors commanding at that instant the whole Army to give a shout and the forlorn Hope to cast their Darts By this means the Enemies Carts were either stopped with the Stakes or terrified with the extraordinary Shout and sudden Assault so that they turned back upon their own Men and disordered the Macedonian Array which caused them to give ground whereas Sylla maintain'd his Archelaus at that moment charg'd with his Horse but when the Roman Horsemen encounter'd with them they put them to flight and compleated the Victory 18. C. Caesar prevented in the same manner with Stakes fixed in the Ground the Carts of the Gauls which were armed with Sythes 19. Alexander at the Battel of Arbella fearing the numbers of his Enemies and knowing the Courage of his own men drew up his Army so as to receive the Enemy on every side that in case he was encompassed in they might fight every way 20. When Aemilius Paulus march'd against Perses King of Macedonia he saw that he had placed a
the Camp of Fulvius the Roman General was negligently and ill provided and that he was apt to attempt many things without Discretion by break of Day when the thick Mists caused the Air to be dark he shewed a few Souldiers to the Roman Sentinels against whom Fulvius immediately marched with his Army in the mean while Hannibal assaulted and took the Camp of Fulvius on the other side By that means falling upon the back of the Romans he cut off eight thousand of their stoutest Souldiers with their General 22. The same Hannibal when the Roman Army was divided between the Dictator Fabius and Minutius the Master of the Horse and that Fabius waited for a fair Opportunity but Minutius desired earnestly to fight him he placed his Camp in a Plain that was between the two Armies and hid a Party of Foot amongst craggy Rocks whilst he sent out some Troops to invite forth the Enemy and take possession of an higher Ground near adjoyning when Minutius led forth his Army to cut them off the Ambush which Hannibal had plac'd rose up on a sudden and had defeated and destroyed Minutius's Army if Fabius had not succour'd them in their need 23. The same Hannibal when at the River Trebeia he had in fight the Camp of the Consul Sempronius Longus a River running between them placed in Ambush in the coldest time of Winter Mago with a select Company whilst he had ordered the Numidian Cavalry to ride about the Roman Camp to work upon the Credulity of Sempronius commanding them at the first Assault of the Romans to retreat back through the known Fords to his Army when the Consul had unadvisedly assaulted and followed them with his fasting Army through the River in a most bitter cold Season which made the Roman Souldiers shake then did Hannibal encounter them with his Men whom he had prepared with Fire Oyl and Food when the Enemy was benum'd with Cold and in want of Necessaries and Mago fail'd not to play his part for he fell upon them behind in good order 24. The same Hannibal at the Lake Thrasymenus finding a narrow way that led to the Foot of a Mountain and into open Fields pretended to fly and through the Streights he escaped into the level Ground where he encamped but in the night he appointed some Souldiers and plac'd them about the Hill which was over him and in the sides of the Streights the next Morning by break of day being favour'd by a Mist he drew up his Army Flaminius followed him as if he had fled but when he was in the Streights he foresaw not the Ambush till he found himself encompassed in before behind and on all sides and till his Army was totally destroyed 25. The same Hannibal fighting against Junius the Dictator in the middle of the Night commanded six hundred Horsemen divided into several Troops in their turns without ceasing to shew themselves about the Roman Camp by that means when the Romans were tired by watching all night and standing upon the Rampires in the Rain which then happened to fall continually and when Junius began to sound a Retreat then did Hannibal lead on his Souldiers well refreshed and assaulted the Roman Camp 26. Epaminondas the Theban General when the Lacedaemonians defended at Athmos the Peloponnesus with a Fortification in the same manner he disturbed the Enemy all night by a few light armed Souldiers and afterwards by break of day he drew up his Men when the Lacedaemonians were retreating and suddenly with his whole Army which he kept quiet he broke thro' their Fortifications naked of Defendants 27. Hannibal having drawn up his Army at the Town of Cannae commanded six hundred Numidian Horsemen to fly to the Romans and for a greater assurance to them delivered to them their Swords and Bucklers falling back into the last Ranks but when the Battel was first begun they drew their short Swords which they had concealed for the purpose and taking up the Bucklers of the slain they fell upon the Back of the Roman Army and destroyed them 28. Japyges a People of Calabria when P. Licinius was Proconful delivered up their Towns as if they had yielded themselves to the Romans but being received and placed in the hindermost Ranks they fell upon their Backs 29. Scipio Africanus having against him two Camps of Enemies one commanded by Syphax the other belonging to the Carthaginians resolved to assault Syphax's Camp in the night and to set it on fire for there was there much combustible matter that he might from his own Camp cut off the Numidians in the Hurly-burly and because he knew that the Carthaginians would adventure to go out to succour their Companions he laid an Ambush to receive them All this fell out according to his Expectation and Desire 30. Mithridates having been often overcome by the Valour of Lucullus assaulted him in an Ambuscado when he had corrupted and persuaded a certain man of great Strength named Adathas to fly to the Enemy This Traitor promised and engaged his Faith to the Romans that he might perform his intended Wickedness which he stoutly endeavoured but in vain for being admitted by Lucullus into the number of his Horsemen he was secretly watch'd because they did not give suddenly credit to a Run-away neither was it fit to discourage others from coming over to them afterwards in many Sallies and Encounters having done good Service he got himself into Credit He chose a time when the Principes were sent away and they were retired to the innermost Rooms of the General 's Quarters and all was quiet in the Camp An accident favour'd Lucullus for he found him at that time departed to his Rest weary with his evening Cares and Employments having entertain'd Company very late when therefore he offered to go in as if he would reveal some sudden and important Matter he was resolutely kept out by the Servants who were mindful of their Lords Health and Repose which caus'd him to doubt that he was suspected he therefore took Horse which he had ready before the Gate and returned without effecting any thing to Mithridates 31. When Sertorius in Spain near the Town of Lauro had his Camp adjoyning to the Camp of Pompey and that there was but two Countries only there able to furnish them with Fodder one near the other at a distance he caused his Souldiers lightly armed frequently to visit that Country that was nearest but forbad them so much as to enter into that which was at a distance by this means he made his Enemies believe that the farthest Country was the safest which when the Souldiers of Pompey went to visit he sent Octavius Graecimus with ten Companies armed in the Roman manner and ten other Companies of Spaniards lightly armed with Tarquinius Priscus at the head of two thousand Horse to lye in Ambush for the Forragers They punctually and courageously performed their Orders for having well understood the Country they hid these Forces in a
being engaged in a Fight against the Vejentes when the Albani forsook the Roman Army and withdrew to the neighbouring Hills and that the Romans were much discouraged he cried out to his Souldiers that the Albani were departed by his Command to encompass the Enemies about which Policy terrified the Vejentes encouraged the Romans and when the Victory was almost lost he recover'd it by this cunning Lye 2. When L. Sylla was in the middle of a Battel and that a chief Commander of his Army withdrew to the Enemy with a considerable Party of Horse declared to his Souldiers that what was done was by his Order in so saying the prevented the Wonder and Trouble of his Men and fill'd them with hopes of some benefit that would follow that Contrivance and Policy 3. The same Sylla when his Auxiliary Troops which were sent by him were surrounded by the Enemy and overthrown fearing that this Loss would terrifie his whole Army he declared to them that these Auxiliaries who had a purpose to forsake him were by him brought in a difficult place purposely to punish them Thus with a pretence of Revenge he covered and concealed an apparent Loss and confirmed and satisfied the Courages of his other Souldiers by this Persuasion 4. Scipio when the Ambassadours of Syphax came to him with this Message from their King That he should not out of Confidence upon his Assistance and Confederacy pass over from Sicily into Africa fearing lest his Souldiers should be discourag'd by the Denial of this foreign help sent hastily the Ambassadours away and spread abroad the Rumour That Syphax of his own Accord had sent for him over 5. Q. Sertorius when he was in the middle of a Fight kill'd a Souldier with his Sword that came to him with the News that Herculeius his Lieutenant was slain that he might not give notice of that loss to others and discourage his Men that were yet fighting 6. Alcibiades the Athenian General when he was beset in a Fight by the Abydeni and on a sudden saw a Messenger running to him with sad News forbad him to deliver his Message openly afterwards being privately questioned by Pharnabazus the Kings Vice-roy he told him that his Fleet was in danger to be taken by the Enemy which concealing from both Enemies and his Souldiers he ended the Battel and immediately after had his Army to free the Fleet from danger and relieve his Men in distress 7. When Hannibal was come into Italy three thousand of the Carpetani a People of Spain forsook his Army and that the rest might not follow their bad example he publish'd immediately abroad That he had sent them away and to verifie this Saying he dispatch'd away a few home to their Houses who were of no great Use in his Army 8. L. Lucullus seeing the Macedonian Cavalry who were come to his Assistance on a sudden to run away to the Enemy commanded the Trumpets to sound a Charge and sent Troops to follow and second them they thinking that the Battel was begun let fly their Darts at the cowardly Macedonians who seeing that they could not be admitted by the Enemy and that their own Party followed them close at the Heels were necessitated in good order to turn and encounter with the Enemy 9. Dutames the Persian General against Autophradates in Cappadocia finding that some of his Cavalry were ready to depart to the Enemy commanded all the rest to accompany him and follow the Run-aways whom when he had overtaken he praised them highly because they had gone before him to meet the Enemy so cheerfully he exhorted them therefore to assault the Enemy with Courage Shame made the Run-aways to repent and to alter their purpose which they conceived was not discovered 10. T. Quintius sirnamed Capitolinus the Consul when the Romans were retreating told them That in the other Wing the Enemies were fled by this Lye he confirmed the Courage of his Souldiers and got the Victory 11. Cn. Manlius fighting against the Hetrusci when his Partner Fabius was wounded in the left Wing which he commanded and that some of the Army retreated because they thought that the Conful had been kill'd met them with a Party of Horse and called out to them that his Partner was yet alive and that in the other Wing he had beaten the Enemy By this Constancy he encouraged his Souldiers and obtained the Victory 12. When Marius march'd against the Cimbri and Teutoni and that the Officers of his Army who were appointed to chuse a place for his Camp had pitch'd upon such a Place through Indiscretion that all their Water was in the Enemies Power and that his Army wanted and ask'd for Water he shewed to them the Enemies Army with his finger and told them that they must fetch it from the Enemies Camp by which Intimation he persuaded his Men to drive them immediately from thence 13. T. Labienus after the Battel of Pharsalia when Pompey's Party was overcome and he fled to Dyrrhachium related the Truth with many Lies He confess'd the Conclusion of the Battel but affirm'd the loss to be equal on both sides by a desperate Wound that Caesar had received By this Invention he confirmed such as remained of Pompey's side and made them more bold 14. When M. Cato unadvisedly landed at Ambracia in a little Boat at the same time that the Ships of his Confederates were assaulted by the Aetolians though he had no Forces with him yet he began to make sign by his Voice and Gesture by which he did seem to call and command some of his Ships to follow him By this Invention he struck a terror into the Enemies as if they were near at hand and in sight The Aetolians therefore forsook the Asfault that they might not be over-power'd by the coming in of the Roman Fleet. CHAP. X. Of restoring and renewing a Fight by Constancy and Courage Example 1. WHen Servius Tullius was a Youth in that Battel in which King Tarquinius encounter'd with the Sabins perceiving the Ensign-bearers behaved themselves slothfully and cowardly he snatch'd the Colours and cast it amongst the Enemies for the Recovery of which they fought so fiercely that with their Colours they got the Victory 2. Furius Agrippa the Consul when his Wing began to fall back took the Colours from an Ensign and cast it amongst his Enemies the Hernici and the Aequi by this means he restored the Fight again for the Romans fell on very cheerfully for the Recovery of their Colours 3. T. Quintius sirnamed Capitolinus the Consul cast a Colours amongst the Enemies the Falisci commanding his Souldiers to recover it again 4. M. Furius Camillus a Tribune of the Souldiers elected in the place of Consuls when his Army stood still in the face of the Enemy catch'd a Colours from an Ensign and march'd against the Enemies the Volsci and the Latins and made all the rest to follow for shame 5. Salvius Pelignus practis'd the same thing in the Persian
been forced to pass under the yoak in sign of submission to continue out of the Camp and Works that they having no defence might be used to the Dangers and be the bolder to encounter with the Enemy 19. P. Comelius Nasica and Decimus Junius the Consuls condemned such to be publickly whipped with Rods and to be sold as Slaves as had forsaken the Army 20. Domitius Corbulo in Armenia caused Two Troops of Horse and Three Companies of Foot who had given back in assaulting of a Castle to continue and lodge out of the Trenches until by their continual Labour and happy encounter they had wiped off their disgrace 21. Aurelius Cotta the Consul when out of necessity he commanded the Horsemen to labour in the Works and that some of them refused to obey him he complained of it to the Censors and caused them to be punished And afterwards he obtained of the Senate that they should lose all their pay that was then due to them 22. The Tribunes of the People likewise consulted them in this business and by a general consent this Discipline was establisht 23. Q. Metellus Sirnamed Macedonicus in Spain commanded five Companies who had been beaten back by the Enemy to make their Wills and sent them back to recover the place threatning them that he would never receive them again till they had got the Victory 24. P. Valerius being Consul the Senate commanded the Army that had been overcame at Siris to be led to Firmius and there to fortifie a Camp and abide in Tents all the Winter 25. The Senate decreed when their Soldiers were shamefully put to flight that no assistance should be sent to them till they had beaten and taken the Enemy Aud that those Legions which had refused to fight in the Punick War should be transported over into Sicily and there remain seven years and live upon barley bread 26. L. Piso condemned Titius the Captain of a Company to stand every day bare-foot before his Tent when the Watch went the Rounds with his Gown torn about him and a loose Cassack and that he should abstain from bathing and feasting because he had retreated back and given ground to the Fugitives with whom he encountred 27. Sylla when the Enemy broke in upon a Company and the Commanders were upon the Guard he ordered them to stand before the Generals Tent without Arms and Belts 28. Domitius Corbulo General in Armenia condemned Aemelius Rufus Leivtenant-General of the Horse to have his Garments broken and cut by a Sergeant and in that shatter'd Habit to stand before the Generals Tent amongst the Principes until they were discharged because he had given back and retreated from the Enemy and because a party of his Horse was but ill furnished with Arms. 29. Attilius Regubus going out of Samnium into the Country of Nuceria with his Army met with the Enemy that drove him back He comcommanded therefore a Party of his Men behind to kill all such as should offer to retreat and deal with them as with Fugitives 30. Cotta Consul in Sicilia caused Valerius Nobilis a Collonel descended of the Family Valeria to be punished by whipping him with Rods. 31. The same Cotta condemned P. Aurelius his near Kinsman whom he had left to command in his absence at the Siege of Lipara when he was gone to Messina to enquire about the success of the War to be beaten with Rods to be listed amongst the Common Soldiers and to perform all their Duties because some of the Works belonging to the Camp had been fired by the Enemy and the Camp it self had been taken in his absence 32. Fulvius Flaccus the Censor put out of the Senate his own Brother Fulvius because he had without the consent of the Consul dismist and sent away a Legion over which he was the Collonel 33. When M. Cato was sailing away with his Fleet from the Enemies shoar where he had remained some few days having given and hang'd out before the Sign of his departure and that one of his Soldiers being left behind called out and made sign to the Ships to be taken in he turned about with his whole Fleet took the Soldier and put him to death and made him an Example to the rest rather than to leave him to be destroyed by the Enemy for his Negligence 34. Appius Claudius was wont to take the Tenth Man of those who did offer to give ground to an Enemy by lot and beat them with Clubs 35. Fabius Rollus the Consul caused the lot to be cast upon two Legions which had retreated from the Enemy and those upon whom the lot fell to be beheaded in the presence of the rest of the Soldiers 36. Aquirius took the third man out of the Companies that had suffered their Guards to be faced by the Enemy and caused them to lose their Heads with an Ax. 37. M. Antonius when a Mount that he had raised had been burnt by the Enemy decimated two Colonies or Companies of Soldiers that were to defend the Works and punished likewise a Centurion or Captain of each Cohors he sent away the Lievtenant Collonel with disgrace and commanded the surviving part of the Legion to feed upon Barly Bread 38. The Legion which plundred and destroyed the Town of Rhegium without the Generals orders was punished in this manner Four Thousand of them were imprisoned and there put to death Beside the Senate commanded that none of them should be buryed or mourned for 39. L. Papyrus Sirnamed Cursor being Dictator treated Fabius Rutilius master of his Horse in this manner because he had encountred with the Enemy against his command though with success He required him to be beaten with Rods with an intention to strike off his Head with an Ax neither could he be prevailed upon by the Endeavors and Prayers of his Soldiers to remit the Punishment and when Rutilius fled to Rome he pursued him neither would he there forgive him untill Fabius with his Father fell upon their Knees to him and the whole Senate and People spoke for him 40. Manlius who afterwards was Sirnamed the Imperious cut off his Sons Head with an Ax after that he had been beaten with Rods in the presence of the whole Army because he had joyned in Battle with the Enemy against his Orders though he came off with Victory 41. Manlius the Son when the Army for his sake were ready to rise up in Sedition and disorder against his Father told them that no Man was of that Worth that for him the Discipline of War ought to be neglected he therefore obliged them to suffer him to be punished 42. Q. Fabius Maximus cut off the Right-Hands of such as had run away from his Army 43. Q. Curio the Consul in the Dardanick War when one of his five Legions about Dirrachyum rose up in Rebellion and refused to march against the Enemy saying that they would not follow their Foolish General in a dangerous and troublesom Enterprise He commanded
the Four other Legions to march out and to stand in order with their Arms ready as for a Battle Afterwards he led out the Seditious Legion without Arms and Belts and in the view of the rest he forced them to but Straws and the next day he obliged the Soldiers likewise with Girdles to dig a Ditch and could never be prevailed upon by the prayers of the Legion nor stopt from taking away their Colours blotting out the name of their Legion and from distributing the Soldiers as a supplement and in Recruits to the other Legions 44. Q. Fulvius and Appius Claudiuus being Consuls the Soldiers who where left after the Battle of Cannae and had been banished into Sicily made request to M. Marcellus that they might be led against the Enemy When he had informed the Senate with their Petition the Senate answered that they did not like to leave the Defence of the Commonwealth to them who had forsaken it But they appointed Marcellus to do as he judged expedient upon condition that none of them should be freed from Duty nor be rewarded with Honour or Gifts nor be brought back into Italy while any of the Carthaginians were there 45. M Salinator of the order of Consuls was condemned by the People because he had not divided the Prey equally amongst his Soldiers When Q. Pecilius the Consul was kill'd by the Ligures in a Battle the Senate decreed that the Legion where the Consul was when he fell should be disbanded deprived of a years pay and all remembrances of that Legion should be blotted out CHAP. II. Of the good effect of the Discipline of War Example 1. IT is reputed that the Armies of Brutus and Cassius in the Civil Wars when they marched together through Macedonia and that Brutus came first to a River over which they were to make a Bridge nevertheless Cassius's Army made more speed in building the Bridge and in hastning to pass over and got before the Army of Brutus This was the effect of their Discipline and good Government which caused the Army commanded by Cassius to excel those of Brutus's Army both in working and in the encounter with an Enemy 2. C. Marius having Liberty to chuse his Army either that which was commanded by Rutilius or the other under Metellus which afterwards was govern'd by himself desired rather to have that which Rutilius kept under Discipline and good order though the lesser of the Two 3. When Domitius Corbulo had reformed the Discipline of the Roman Army with Two Legions and a few Auxiliary Troops he encountred with the Parthians 4. Alexander King of Macedon assaulted the whole World with 40000 Men who had been well trained up by King Philip and overcame vast numbers of his Enemies 5. Cyrus in the War against the Persians master'd many difficulties with Fourteen Thousand armed Men. 6. Epaminondas General of the Thebans with four Thousand Men among whom were but Four hundred Horsemen overcame the Lacedemonian Army of Four and Twenty thousand Foot and Sixteen hundred Horse 7. By fourteen Thousand Greeks which were sent to help Cyrus against Artaxerxes an hundred thousand Persians were overcome in Battle 8. The same Fourteen Thousand having lost in a Fight their Chief Commander left the Care of their Conduct homewards to one of their Number Xenophon by name who was of Athens and they returned safe through difficult and unknown Regions and Countries 9. Xerxes was stopt by Three hundred Lacedemonians at the Streights of Thennopyle And when he could scarce destroy them with all his Army he confesled that in this he perceived his own error that in Truth he had many men at his Command but stout and Valiant and careful to observe the Discipline of War he had none CHAP. III. Of Continency Example 1. IT is reported of M. Cato when he was going General into Spain that he drank of no other Wine but such as was for the Saylors 2. Fabricius when Cyneas the King of Epyrus's Embassadour offered him a great Sum of Gold refused it with this saying That he had rather command such as had Mony than to have it himself 3. Attilius Regulus when he was Chief Commander was so poor that he maintain'd himself his Wife and Children with a small Field which was manur'd and manag'd by a Country-man of whose Death when he had heard he writ to the Senate to send him a Successor because his Family would be in want by the Death of his Servant and that his Presence was needful at home 4. Cn. Scipio after that he had many successes in Spain fell into a very great Poverty and so dyed that he had not Mony sufficient left for the Marriage of his Daughters wherefore the Senate appointed them Portions out of the Publick Treasury 5 The Athenians dealt in the same generous manner with the Children of Aristides who deceased very poor after that he had excellently well behaved himself in his Government 6. Epaminondas the Theban General was so sparing in the Field that there was nothing found in the Field amongst his moveables but a Pot to boyl Meat and one Spit 7. Hannibal was wont to rise by night never went to rest before it was dark at the dawning of the day he used to go to Supper and he never had more than two Beds for him and his Domesticks 8. The same Hannibal when he was at the Wars under Hasdrubal the General for the most part slept upon the bare ground with his Armour about him 9. It is reported that Scipio Aemilianus was wont to eat Bread walking in a Journey with his Friends 10. The same thing is said of Alexander the Macedonian 11. And we read of Massinissa that when he was Ninety years old he would stand and walk before his Tent and eat Meat 12. When M. Curius had overcome the Sabins and that the Senate for his good Services appointed for him a Portion of Land which old Soldiers use to receive was contented with the share of a common Soldier and said that he was but an ill Citizen when that would not suffice which was sufficient for others 13. Remarkable also hath the moderation bin of whole Armies as that under M. Scaurus For Scaurus writes that in fixing his Camp there was an Apple-Tree loaden with Fruit within his Fortifications which the next day when the Army removed was not so much as toucht and had lost no Apples 14. When the Emperor Caesar Domitianus led his Army in the German War which Julius Civilis stirr'd up the most wealthy City of Leige which revolted to Civilius was afraid of Caesar's coming the Soldiers would plunder them But when they saw contrary to their expectation that nothing had been taken away by violence and that they had not lost any thing of their Goods returned to their obedience and deliver'd to him seventy Thousand armed Men. 15. L. Mummius when he had taken Corinth adorned not only all Italy with Statues and Pictures bat also all the Province
contained they might afford an encouragement to the Fire 10. Hannibal shewed to King Antiochus how he should cast Pots full of Vipers into their Enemies Ships which so affrighted the Soldiers that they were thereby hindred from resisting and from the Government of their Ships 11. Prusias practiced the same Policy when his Fleet gave back 12. When M. Parcius in a furious manner broke though the Enemies Fleet the Carthaginians were thereby troubled and out of order Porcius took an advantage of it causing his Men to take the Carthaginian Arms and hang out their Colours by that means under the appearance of Friends he deceived and sunk several of their Ships 13. When the Athenians had been assaulted by the Lacedemonians in their Festival days which were kept in Honour of Minerva out of the City they continued the appearance of such as were wont to honour the Goddess only under their Coats they had hid their Weapons When they had performed their accusiomed Worship they returned not immediately to Athens but from thence in a speedy manner they hasted to Lacedemon at that time when they were least expected and plundered all their Enemies Country at their pleasure whereas a little before they had been plunder'd by them 14. Cassius took some Ships of burden which were scarce useful and firing them he sent them before the Wind amongst the Enemies Fleet and set them all a Fire 15. M. Lucius having defeated Hasdrubal some advised him to pursue the Enemy till they had totally destroyed them pray said he let some of them remain alive who may declare our Victory to the Enemy 16. Scipio Africanus was wont to say That it was good Policy not only to give the Enemy a way to escape and fly but also to secure it to them 17. Pericles the Athenian promised his Enemies that they should be safe if they would cast down their Weapons which when they had done he commanded all that had in their Armour Iron Bucklers to be slain 18. When Hasdrubal was entred into the Borders of Numidia to subdue them and that the Inhabitants prepared to resist him he told them that he was come only to hunt Elephants which were plentiful in Numidia and if they would suffer him he promised to do them no harm They believed him and called back their Forces then did they assault and subdue them 19. Alcetas the Lacedemonian that he might more easily surprize a Convey of Victuals sailing to Thebes unexpected provided some Ships in a secret place shewing but one Galley in which by turns he exercised his Marriners But in a convenient time when the Thebans were sailing by he sent out all his Ships against them and took all their Provisions 20. Ptolomeus having but a weak Army when he marched against Perdicas who was the stronger in Forces took all sorts of Beasts and caused them to draw behind them Carts and to be driven forward by a few Horsemen In the mean while he marched before with what Troops he had with him so that the dust raised by the Cattle gave an appearance of a vast Army that followed behind which thought so terrified the Enemy that they were put to flight 21. Myronides the Athenian going against the Thebans who were more numerous in Horse when his Foot came into the plain Fields he told them that if they did keep their grouod they would be safe but if they yielded they would be destroyed by this Speech he confirmed his Soldiers and got the Victory 22. L. Pinarons being Governour in Sicily of the Town Ennae when the Magistrates of the City desired him to deliver up the Keys of the Gates which he had in his Custody to them he had a jealousie of them that they intended to turn to the Carthaginians he desired therefore one Nights space to consider of it informing secretly his Soldiers of the treachery of those Greeks he commanded them to be ready the next day and expect the Signal The next morning in the Presence of his Soldiers he told the Magistrates that he would deliver up the Keys if all the Inhabitants desired it for that purpose all the Citizens being call'd into the Theater demanded the delivery of the Keys By this he understood of their purpose to revolt to the Enemy he immediately therefore gave order to his Soldiers to fall on and kill all the Inhabitants 23. Iphicrates the Athenian General took the Colours at the appearance of the Enemies Fleet and sailed to a Town of which he had a jealousie and when at his landing he was received with great Expressions of joy he found out their unconstancy and plunder'd the Town 24. Tiberius Gracchus declared publickly that he would give liberty to all the Volunteers who behaved themselves manfully but that he would crucifie the Cowards When therefore four thousand of those who had been sloathful in the Fight for fear of the Threatned Punishment were gathered together on the Top of a Hill he sent to tell them that his whole Army of Volunteers in his judgment had got the Victory seeing the Enemy was fled By this saying he deliver'd them from the fear of Punishment and kept them in their Obedience 25. Hannibal after the Battle at the Lake of Thrasginerus where the Romans received so great a Loss when he had got into his Power six thousand of his Enemies by an agreement he sent away all the Confederates of the Latine Country and spoke graciously to them saying that he was come into Italy to make War to free the Country from the Roman Slavery and by their means some of the People surrendred themselves to him 26. Magro when the Locri were besieged by Crispinus Admiral of the Roman Fleet caused a Report to be spread abroad in the Roman Camp that Hannibal had kill'd Marcellus and was coming with his Army to raise the Siege of the Town having therefore secretly sent out a Party of Horse he order'd them to shew themselves on the top of the Hills which were in sight when Crispinus saw them he imagined that Hannibal was really coming he therefore hasted with his Army on Shipboard and fled 27. Scipio Aemilianus at the Battle of Numantia placed his Bow-men and Slingers not only between his Cohortes but also between every Century or Company of Foot 28. Pelopidas Thebanus being put to flight by the Thessalians and having sounded the depth of a River over which he had hastily cast a Bridge that the Enemy might not make use of it also to pass over he commanded the Rear of his Army to burn the Bridge 29. When the Roman Cavalry could by no means encounter with the Horsemen of Campania Q. Naevius a Captain in the Army of Fulvius Flaccus the Proconsul found a way to strengthen them He caused out of all the Army some of the nimblest Footmen to be chosen who were of a middle Stature He furnished them with round and little Bucklers with Headpieces Swords and seven Spears every one about four Foot
and noble Captain over his Eastern Army named Martianus whom he sent with new raised Forces against the Persians and to the Siege of Nisibis Martianus was but badly provided of necessaries yet by his extraordinary diligence he came upon an Army of the Persians before the rest were ready to fight and routed them The Roman General laid Siege to Nisibis but Cosroes made all hast to relieve the City sending Adaarmanes a Captain of the wild Arabians to wast and spoil the Roman Territories which he performed with less opposition because at that time Justin the Emperor had sent Acatius a proud â—â—ector but a cowardly and ignorant Soldier to be Geneneral instead of Martianus This un-advised Act discontented the Army that most of them fled and forsook the Siege of Nisibis and suffered Adaarmanes to spoil the Country with Fire and Sword to take and burn Apamia and by the help of Cosroes to plunder Daras Much more mischief would have ensued had not the Empress sent an Embassadour in season to Cosroes to stop his Victorious Army and revengeful Hands for no great good can be expected from an Army when Generals want Experience when Officers and Soldiers have no confidence in one another when the chief Commander is look'd upon as a Coward dis-esteem'd for his Folly Pride Cruelty or any other Imperfections of Body or mind The Roman Empire was then in a sad Condition invaded by many Barbarous Nations on all its Borders so that the Empress to remedy the Evils that threatned the State perswaded Justin to make Tiberius a Valiant and Wise Man Partner with him in the Empire He immediately listed a Stout and Numerous Army and the Treasure which formerly had bin converted to Debauchery he employed to pay his Soldiers Over them he appointed a discreet General named Justinianus and sent him to give a Check to Cosroes and the Persians proceedings who were then in Cappadocia The two Armies met but when Cosroes was loath to venture the hazard of a Battel because of the Numbers and Stoutness of the Roman Army Curs a Scythian Captain of the Right Wing of the Romans gave such a furious Charge upon the Persians that they were put to flight and he pursued them to the place where the Kings Treasure and Carriages were kept which he brought away with him The King took the advantage of the next night to fall upon one part of the Roman Army which he did with some success but when both parts were united they pursued him to the River Euphrates where were killed and drowned most part of his Forces A just reward for his Insolency and Contempt of the Roman Empire which he had plagued with continual Wars many years But at last was overthrown and his Army cut in pieces by Justinianus a Worthy General and the Emperour Tiberius CHAP. VII Of Mauritius General under Tiberius the Emperour Ann. Dom. 580. who afterwards was chosen Emperour THis General is represented to us a very Valiant and Politick Commander free from Lust and Debauchery diligent and careful in his Business watchful over the Enemy and wary in all his Undertakings steady and couragious in all his Resolutions He had great Success in his Wars against the Persians for he took from them many Cities and Castles upon the Borders and enriched the Roman Army with Spoils and Plunder Famo Cosroes a Persian General assisted by Adaarmanes met him with their Forces but they were both overthrown by the Wisdom and Policy of Mauritius and by the Romans Courage and Valour when they were forsaken by some of their Auxiliary Troops for such a disappointment when an Army depends upon the assistance of others who either run away or fly to the Enemy to encrease their Power is able to give great discouragement and to dishearten the most Couragious Minds Now when some Generals have had such Jealousie of any of their Forces they have by Policy or some cunning Invention clapt a Plaister to the wound wisely prevented before the mischiefs which such Treachery or Cowardise would otherwise bring upon the rest of their Army for a wise General must be furnished against all Casualties and be ready to meet an Encounter with all the un-expected Accidents which in his reason may possibly happen in a Battel His undaunted Courage alone is able to give life to his dying Army and snatch from an Enemy the Honour of the Day Mauritius was a Politick Commander as may appear by a Stratagem whereof he was the Author When he was Emperour Caganas King of the Avari a Northern People invaded the borders of Thracia and after many cruel Fights besieged Priscus the Praetor in a Castle Mauritius not being able to raise the Siege because his Army was otherwise employed sends a Letter to Priscus to will him to hold out stoutly for some few days for that his Fleet which was now destroying the Country of Caganus with Fire and Sword by his order would speedily return and relieve him Caganus intercepts this Letter as it was going into the Castle he believes the Contents to be true therefore the fear of his own Territories made him in hast to rise from the Siege to save his Country from the supposed Ruine and Destruction Caganus return'd again and in six years time took and burnt about 40 good Towns of Dalmatia belonging to the Emperor Mauritius whose rare Virtues might have prevented these Mischiefs had not his neglect of his Army and the base Vice of Covetousness a Vice unbecoming a Prince procured him the hatred of his stoutest Soldiers CHAP. VIII Of Mahomet and his Successes their first Arts and Policies beginning A.D. 610. OF all the Impostors since the Creation of the World none hath been so successful as Mahomet and done more mischief to the Humane Race His damnable Superstition hath bin assisted with so much Policy Interest and Power amongst rude and ignorant Nations that the wonder of its great Successes appears less to a Judicious Eye Mahomet's Birth was but mean but having the advantage of serving a Rich Merchant after his Decease he marryed his Mistress and became suddenly very Wealthy His Mother was a Jew his Father a Saracen descended from Ishmael but by Religion it is reported by some that he was an Heathen his Name was Abdala This subtile Impostor perceiving how ignorant the Men of his Country were of Religion the general Debauchery that reign'd amongst Christians their Feuds Malice and continual Quarrels he took from thence an occasion and was thereby encouraged to proclaim himself a Prophet and to set up a Religion of his own The Mysteries of the Christian Religion he could not well relish he was therefore opposed and called in question for his dangerous and hellish Opinions at his first appearance at Medina and forced to fly and hide himself in a Cave where Secgius a Westonian Monk assisted him to compose the Alcoran the rule of the Mahometans Faith and Religion which is politickly and subtilely made up of such
such time as they should see that the Fight was begun and that then they should fall upon the Rear of the Turks This order was so exactly obeyed that the Turks having the Enemy before and behind were beset by a small number yet they did fight valiantly until a fresh supply from the Rear came and broke in upon the Turks forced them to fly killing in the pursuit and Battel two and twenty thousand and two thousand taken Prisoners with all the Turks Tents and Riches After this great Slaughter Scanderbeg mounted his Footmen upon the Turks Horses and with all his Army he plundred miserably a great part of Macedonia and enriched his Soldiers This great Victory made Scanderbegs Name to be famous all over the Courts of the Christian Princes so that in a general Confederacy between them for the opposing of Amurath Scanderbeg was entreated to be one of the party for that purpose he raised an Army and intended to assist Vladislaus at the great and unhappy Battel at Varna but his passage was stopt by the faithless Despot of Servia After that Overthrow Amurath sent Ferises Bassa to spoil Epirus with 9000 Horse but Scanderbeg having notice of his speedy coming he put 1500 stout Footmen in Ambush upon the Mountains and narrow ways that led into the Valley of Mocrea where the Turks were to pass These Footmen set upon the Turkish Cavalry in such places where they could not use their Horses that they were all routed and slain and pursued by two thousand Horse which Scanderbeg had there for the purpose Ferises saved himself by Flight with his broken Troops When Amurath heard of this Overthrow he sent one Mustapha another Captain with a Recruit of 6000 Horse to succeed Ferises in his Government with orders to burn and spoil as much of Epirus as he could Mustapha a wary Captain came with his Troops into the Valley of Moerea where he lay strongly encamped in his Trenches every night having placed Scouts and Sentinels all round upon the Hills to discover the Enemies coming with 4000 Horsemen he kept his Camp and sent out the rest in parties to spoil the Country with express orders upon pain of death to repair to him upon the first notice of an Enemy Scanderbeg being informed by his Spies of Mustapha's wariness resolves to deal with him by plain Force therefore with 4000 Horse and a 1000 Foot he speedily marched through the Valley to the Turks Camp where he kill'd many that were retreating with their plunder and then assaulted the Trenches with that Fury and Resolution that the Turks were beaten 5000 were killed and 300 taken Prisoners with the loss only of twenty Horsemen and fifty Foot Mustapha fled with the rest of his Forces to his Government of Macedonia to give an account of Scanderbegs Valour and of his own loss to Old Amurath who resolved to suffer awhile this dreadful Enemy to live in Peace therefore he commanded Mustapha not to molest the Borders of Epirus but only to defend his own Government It happened at that time that there was a Quarrel between Scanderbeg and the Venetians and an open War proclaimed When Mustapha saw that Scanderbeg's Forces were employed against the Venetians he begg'd leave of Amurath to try once more his Fortune against Scanderbeg For that purpose with a numerous Army he entred into Epirus when Scanderbeg was besieging the Town of Dayna where he left some Forces with Amesa to continue the Siege and with 500 Horse and 1500 Foot he went to find out Mustapha encamped in the upper Country of Dibra Out of the Garrisons he recruited and encreased his small number to 4000 Horse and 2000 Foot all old Soldiers When both Armies were drawn up in Battalia a Turk advantagiously mounted came out of the Turks Army to challenge any Christian to fight with him his name was Caragusa One Paul Manessi desired Scanderbeg that he might be the Man to encounter with this Turk which being granted at the first blow he wounded him grievously in the Head and cut it off which when he had done he took his Spoils and return'd with great Acclamations of the Christian Army to Scanderbeg who seeing how much this had encouraged his Men set forward against the Turks and with an invincible Courage beat them out of the Field took Mustapha Prisoner killed 12000 Men whereas of his own Army there was but 300 slain The Plunder of the Enemies Camp he always bestowed upon his Soldiers who met there with great Riches and according to his Custom entred again into the Turks Dominions to plunder and burn the Country Amurath grieved at so many losses resolves with a mighty Army to march into Epirus himself and try his own Fortune against this crafty Warriour Scanderbeg who having notice of his coming made all things ready he craved Aid of all his Christian Neighbours filled his Towns with Food Provision and Arms repaired all the decayed Fortifications and gathered an Army of 10000 Men to attend upon him leaving sufficient Garrisons in every City Amurath had in his Army one hundred and fifty thousand Men. He sent forty thousand before him to Stifegrade to make preparation for his coming Scanderbeg marched thither with 4000 Horsemen a thousand Foot and strongly encamped himself within Seven Miles of the City from his Camp he went up with some of his Captains to the top of a Hill as near as he could to see how the Turks lay before Stifegrade at his return he drew out his small Army and placed them in the Woods not far from the City unto which he sent Moses and Musachi with about 30 Horsemen to drive some Horses loaden with Corn as if they had purposed secretly to get into the City When the Turks Scouts perceived them they charged them but were beaten back with the loss of five men which gave the Alarm to the Turks who marched out to pursue them in number about 4000. Moses politickly drew them away from their Camp to the place where Scanderbeg lay in Ambush He rose with his Men set upon them with that Fury that he killed 2000. and took a thousand Horse with the loss of two and twenty of his own Men. Amurath came before Stifegrade in May 1449. he battered and assaulted the Town with the slaughter of vast numbers of his best Men during which time Scanderbeg often brake into one part or other of his Camp making a terrible destruction and then again retreated with little or no loss At one time when Amurath was giving an assault to the City Scanderbeg was discovered drawing near to the Turks Camp and by Amuraths order was met with by Feri-Bassa who long desiring to fight with Scanderbeg was by him slain and his Army routed with great loss but because all the Turks Army were at hand he speedily retreated from thence with his Victorious Army Stifegrade was afterwards betrayed and surrendred but Amurath lost before the City 30000 of his best Men. At his
to the King of Denmark and by her had two Sons Prince Henry who was the great expectation of the Enlish Nation but suddenly snatcht away by death Prince Charles and the Lady Elizabeth marryed to the Prince Palatine of the Rhine Prince Charles Successour to his Father and Heir of three flourishing Kingdoms after many Battels where he shewed his undaunted Courage as well as Piety in his Afflictions was by a most unnatural most devillish and unparalell'd Rebellion murdered by his Subjects Never any Prince was better qualified for a Crown never any more patient in distress Instead of the Imperial Crown of these Realms Providence bestowed upon him the Crown of Martyrdom and his memory will ever continue precious in the remembrance of all his Loyal Subjects He was too much a Christian to continue long in Peace Governour over such a tumultuous People This Nation hath been happy many years in excellent wise and valiant Princes who have protected us and our Estates from forrein and intestine Enemies Our late King Charles the II. of ever blessed Memory was drawn into the Field betimes to contend with Cruelty Rebellion and Tyranny when to the loss of his Patrimony was added the loss of so good a Father and the Banishment of his Friends his excellent Courage was not dejected but under so many aggravations of Sorrow under so many pressing and grievous Afflictions as were sent to welcom him into the World he endeavour'd to recover by his Valour and Conduct his Kingdoms and Crowns In Scotland when he was to struggle with a seditious and troublesome Generation and was to encounter with a Victorious Army of Enemies his Wisdom preserved his divided party from that ruine into which they were falling by their needless Factions and at the unhappy Battel of Worcester King Charles shewed himself to be a wise and diligent Commander and an undaunted Soldier by the confession of his greatest Enemies But that which this brave Prince attempted to obtain by his just Arms Providence procured to him by a Miracle I mean the Restauration of the Royal Family to their Dignities and Estates without any effusion of Bloud when there were so many Enemies both at home and abroad to oppose them In this short summary of the Heroes of the Royal Family I cannot but mention our present King James the II. whose great Courage undaunted Spirit and Noble Mind hath been sufficiently tryed both at at home and abroad both by Sea and Land against Foreign Enemies in the Field and furious and unreasonable Combitations of sactious Spirits within the Kingdom Victory and success hath always attended upon him and may this most Excellent Prince long continue over us in all prosperity and happiness and may his Enemies lick the dust CHAP. XLIV Of the Conquest of France by King Henry the V. and several other Remarkable Passages in that famous War KIng Henry the V. for the recovering of his Right to the Crown of France which was denyed to him upon the pretence of the Salick Law sent over the Duke of Exeter his Unkle with several Noble Men and 500 Horse to Charles the VI. of France to demand the Crown and with it the Princess Catherine the French Kings Daughter The Dolphin in contempt of King Henry's youthful days sent him in scorn a Tunn of Tennis Balls to play with The King was so sensible of this scornful present that he swore That he would toss so many Iron Balls in France that the strongest Rackets in that Kingdom should not be able to return them back It is no Wisdom to provoke the weakest Enemy nor safe to contemn the meanest Power for that which is wanting in Ability may be made good by diligence and policy King Henry for the obtaining of his purpose transported over an Army into France Harflew was besieged and within six Weeks taken The Soldiers had liberty to plunder it A sudden distemper happened in the English Army which destroyed many of the stoutest Soldiers who are as much subject to death in their Tents as in the midst of the Enemies Swords and the showres of shot The King left a Garrison in Harflew and resolved by land to march to Chalice with Two Thousand Horse and Thirteen Thousand Archers The Dolphin with above Thirty Thousand at Rohan resolved in Council to sight the English At Agencourt the Constable of France came to the Dolphin with Ten Thousand Horse and some Foot The French as their manner is boasted of the Victory before they had got it but they presumed so much upon their numbers that they thought to swallow up the English King Henry had wisely provided all things for a Fight He had got a number of Stakes strengthned with sharp Irons at each end with them he fences in his Foot that they might find in case of necessity some defence against the multitudes of the Enemies Horse The French Army was divided into three Battalions the first consisting of 16000. was lead by the Constable the second by the Dukes of Alanson and Barr the third was commanded by the Earls of Mark and Damp. The English Vanguard was brought up by the Duke of York the main Battel in which were the strongest Bill-men by the King assisted by the Duke of Glocester the Earls of Oxford and Suffolk The Rear was marshalled by the Duke of Exeter the Kings Unkle An Ambush of English Archers was placed within a new hedge to receive and surprize the French at their first approach They did such good service with their showres of Arrows which fell upon the Van of the French Army consisting for the most part of Horse that they were overthrown and helped to trample upon and disorder their Foot In that hurly burly the English Bill-men fell upon them with such fury that they were forced to fly but at the coming in of the French main Battel the English retreated in order within their Stakes and where then followed by the French Horse with more hast than discretion for they found themselves so entangled that many of the most furious lost their Lives Here the King fought hand to hand with the Duke of Alanson and beat him down and would have spared his Life had not his Guard killed him before he was aware When the two first Battalions were overthrown the third had no stomack to go on to the charge and though they were the greater number they fled and craved quarter which was granted but when a dreadful noise was heard from the English Camp occasioned by 600 Horse that fell in to plunder the English behind their Backs the King imagining that another Army was coming on to assault him and that so many thousand Prisoners might rise up and endanger his Army in the Rear commanded them all to be flain for which he ever after was heartily sorry In this Battel sell the Constable and Admiral of France the Dukes of Alanson Brabant and Barre many Earls 25 Barons 8000 Knights Esquires and Gentlemen and many
procured the Duke of Parma the favour and esteem of all the Spanish Army But as the chief skill of a General consists not only in knowing when and how to overcome an Enemy but also in understanding how to preserve his Army and saving it from a dangerous post or drawing it out of the unexpected Ambushes of a powerful Enemy this was performed by the Duke of Parma at the Battel of Mechlin for John of Austria the Spanish General having suffered a considerable part of his Army to fall upon the Enemies they retreated to their great Guns and had encompassed the Spaniards round so that they had been all cut in pieces had not Parma secured their Retreat which he did by placing behind the Hedges some Companies of Musketiers to stop the pursuing Enemy and causing some Troops of Horse furiously to charge whilst he gave a private sign for a Retreat and drew away the Body of Foot in danger to be lost into the narrow ways lined with his Musketeers In the mean while orders were given to the rest of the Army to keep their Ranks and to stand ready to shelter their Fellows at their return for fear the Enemy following close at the Rear should disorder and rout the whole Army as it hath often happened in such like cases When John of Austria was dead Alexander succeeded him in the Government of the Netherlands and in the chief command of the Army Maestricht was first besieged by him where he so cunningly enclosed in the Town with Forts and Works by Land and two Bridges over the River Mosa that it was not in the power of the Prince of Orange and of his Army either to relieve the Town or force him in his Trenches At last after a notable Siege the City was taken and miserably plundred by the Dukes Army By his Policy and Valour he recover'd the most part of the Netherlands defeated the Troops of Casimirus the Saxon Prince who with his German Forces assisted the Prince of Orange and the States He compelled several great Towns to yield to him Tourney Aldenard Dunkirk c. He drove the Duke of Alanson out of the Netherlands and often beat the French Auxiliaries after their unhappy endeavour to surprize Antwerp and the chief Towns which they assaulted at noon day by the orders of the Duke of Alanson who attempted to take and plunder Antwerp by Treachery But Parma's excellent skill in War never appeared more than in the famous Siege of Antwerp With ten or eleven thousand men he beleagur'd that great City full of People defeated all the Auxiliary Forces sent to relieve the Town and at the same time compelled Five other strong Cities to yield to him Gant Brussels Mechlin Nimeguen and Teneramund In this Siege he built a Famous and most Ingenious Bridge over the River of Scala This Bridge was in part blown up and broken by Ships let down the Stream from Antwerp by a notable Ingenier but such was the diligence and Courage of the Duke of Parma that he caused some Beams Planks and Vessels to be laid in that Breach and Drums and Trumpets there to sound to blind and deceive the Holland Vessels that were coming up the River the next morning to relieve Antwerp with Provisions so that notwithstanding this discouragement and the loss of his Soldiers killed in the blowing up of the Bridge he continued the Siege until the Citizens were forced by Famine to yield up their City He reduced the States of Holland to the necessity of imploring Queen Elizabeth's Aid She sent sent the Earl of Leicester with a brave Army but the Duke of Parma proceeded on in the Conquest of the Netherlands and the taking of several Towns both from the Dutch and English But no Action of this Prince deserves more the admiration of Men than his expeditions into France The first was for the relief of Paris besieged by Henry the IV. The Duke was ordered by the King of Spain to march thither with his Army Henry was forced to call together all his Troops and rise from the Siege to meet the Duke with an intent to fight him But when he understood that Paris was supplyed with Provisions he entrenched himself in such an advantagious Post that the King did not dare to beat him from thence He afterwards retreated back into the Low Countries and in view of the French Army far more numerous than his stormed and took the Town of Lagny and though the French followed him close at the Heels yet he ordered his Retreat so subtilely that they could never fight him The next expedition was for the Relief of Rohan besieged by same King Henry the IV. The Duke of Parma with an Army of about 15000 Old Soldiers Spaniards and Walloons and 8000 French under the Duke of Mayenne went to Rohan and obliged King Henry to depart with his Army Parma at the request of the Citizens assaulted Caudebeck and took it In the mean while King Henry had gathered together his dispersed Forces and finding himself as strong as his Enemies resolved to pursue and fight them They were then about Tuepot in the Chalky Country of Normandy having the great River of Seine between them both The Dukes Army was much distressed for want of Victuals and had received some loss by the French Army in Skirmishes and King Henry had taken great care to cut off all provisions from them But the Duke of Parma in one night deliver'd his Army from the danger both of the Enemy and of Famine He caused great Boats covered over with Beams and Planks to fall down the River from Rohan to his Camp where he caused two Forts to be raised with some Redoubts to favour and defend his passage over the River which in this place is half a League over Upon these Boats he conveyed over all his Cannon and Carriages his Bag and Baggage with Horse and Foot so that the next day when the French Army was preparing to assault the Spaniards in their Tents they saw only Prince Ranuse Farnese with 1500 Men with the rest of their Canon going over to the Dukes Army on the other side and it was not in the Kings power to follow him for want of Boats or a Bridge By this means the Duke returned back with leisure into the Low Countries relieved two great Cities against a powerful King and without venturing his Army to the great wonder of all Europe performed what he had undertaken CHAP. XLIII How the Marquis de Monte defeated five Companies of Foot and Seven Hundred Horse with Seventy Lances and Twenty Five Carabins THis excellent Commander by the Duke of Parma's order marched out of Lovain where he was Governour towards Maestricht to discover the Enemy and by chance met with five Companies of Foot and Seven Hundred Horse At the first sight his men began to fear the in-equality of the number but the Marquiss finding himself too far advanced and so near that he could not well
so that the Prince was never able to force him to a Fight And when all his Forage and Provisions were spent he was driven by that means to the necessity of departing out of the Country into Germany again CHAP. XLIX Of certain times convenient to fight an Enemy and other times wherein it is Wisdom to refuse a Battel IF an Armies Reputation depends wholly upon a speedy success as in many cases If the Enemy be gathering together greater Forces and expects a speedy supply of Horse or Foot If the Country be so at his devotion that the longer he delays the stronger he grows or if Victuals or Money begin to fail then a General should seek all fit opportunities for a speedy Encounter while the Enemy is not too strong and his own party in a condition and resolution to give Battel But if a General hath more Forces coming into him or if he knows that by delaying he may shorten or cut off his Enemies Provisions or if Sickness and Diseases do daily lessen the number of his Enemies then by delaying he may do as much service as by venturing a Battel At the Isle of Rhee the Freuch Army would never offer to fight with the English till they perceived them in a confusion by reason of their orders to Embark But they always followed them close at the Heels till this opportunity was offered to them and then with all their Forces of Horse and Foot they fell furiously upon the English and cut off a great many Likewise in the War between Don John of Austria and the Estates of the Netherlands he endeavour'd to fight the Army commanded by Count Bossute because he understood that Duke Cassimire with 5000 Horse and 6000 Foot with other Forces were coming into the Earls Camp within a few days But the Earl would by no means suffer his Men to venture out of their Trenches CHAP. L. How Lewis King of France stopt the Assistance which the Dukes of Burgundy and Britany were going to send to the Duke of Normandy THe French King understanding that these three Dukes had made a League Offensive and Defensive against him their common Enemy and having an intent to assault and fight them single When he led his Army into Normandy he feigned Letters from that Duke to the Duke of Burgundy signifying that he was loath to run the hazard of a War that he had accepted of the Kings offers and concluded an agreement with him for 60000 Franks and therefore he desired him to forbear sending of his Forces to his Assistance as had been formerly promised These Letters the King caused to be sent by an Herald to the Dukes of Burgundy and Brittany who though they suspected them to be false yet because they received a confirmation from the Contents from other hands but by the procurement of the King they caused their Armies to be speedily disbanded By this means the King obtained by policy what otherwise he could not well get by Force without the hazard of his Army for he having thus weakned his Enemies made with them what agreement he thought convenient and they were forced to yield to his Terms of peace CHAP. LI. A Policy used by a French General to destroy the Neapolitan Army strongly Encamped WHen there was a dispute between Ferand King of Naples and Charles King of France about the Crown of that Kingdom Ferand understanding that the French Army was too potent for him to encounter with only with his faint-hearted Neapolitans resolved to entrench himself between certain Hills The French General finding him in that advantagious Post that he did not dare to meddle with him divided his Army secretly in the night and sent a strong Party round about to assault King Ferand behind whilst he in the Interim with small Parties skirmished and kept them in continual play At last when the party of Men which were to surround the Neapolitan Army and to fall upon their Backs were come to the appointed place the French assaulted the Enemy behind and before entred their Trenches and routed them Xerxes in the same manner recovered the Streights of Thermopyle in Greece defended by a handful of Lacedemonians under Leonidas their Captain CHAP. LII How Prince Maurice took the Town of Gertrudenberg WHen the Prince of Orange besieged Gertrudenberg by Sea and Land he understood by a Prisoner taken from the Enemy that once every day the Governour with the chief Magistrates were wont to go up privately to take a view of the Hollanders Trenches and of the Country round about that they might see for an opportunity to sally out upon them immediately he took advantage of this Information and secretly ordered a Gentleman of his Army to run away to the Town under pretence that he had murdered a Man and therefore fled to save his Life The Gentleman according to appointment discover'd to the Princes Army by playing upon a Pipe when the Governour was in the Steeple The great Guns being then ready and waiting for the purpose were all immediately discharged at one time and battered down the Steeple killed the Governour with the Magistrates which as soon as the Prince suspected he caused a sudden assault to be made and carried the Town for want of a Governour and Orders to defend it For such a Consternation that must needs happen at the unexpected destruction of a Chieftain either in an Army or in a Garrison the Soldiers Hearts must needs be broken and before orders can be given to supply his place by another the Enemy hath a great advantage upon the party that he commands CHAP. LIII How the States of Holland took the Town of Breda by surprize THey hired a certain Master of a Boat who was wont to carry into the City Provisions of Bread and Beer and other necessaries for maintenance of the Garrison In this Boat they stored a Company of Stout and Valiant Gentlemen and covered them over with Turves and other things The Boatsman according to his custom brings strong Liquors upon the Guard makes them all drink plentifully till they were drunk whilst they were in that Condition he passeth the Guard and enters into the Town with his Company of Men who immediately gave notice to their Friends without by casting up a Ball of Wild-fire to fall on A Gate was broken open for them then did they disperse themselves about the Town killed all that resisted and mastered the Guard Such surprizes have been made with Carts full of Corn Hay c. wherein have been hid Soldiers and sometimes a Cart hath been purposely broken and out of order at the Gate of a Town to hinder the shutting of it and a party of the Enemy hath then set upon and entred the Town CHAP. LIV. How the Garrison of the Skonse at Zutphen was surprized THe Spaniards to strengthen the more the City of Zutphen in Gelderland had built a very strong Skonse in such a place as hindred any Enemy from making their approaches
THE STRATAGEMS OF WAR OR A Collection of the most celebrated Practices and wise Sayings of the Great Generals in former Ages Written by Sextus Julius Frontinus one of the Roman Consuls Now English'd and Enlarged with a new Collection of the most noted Stratagems and brave Exploits of famous and modern Generals and with a short Account of the Weapons offensive and defensive and Engines commonly used in War with their Usefulness and Deficiency By M. D. A. B. D. Licensed July 28. 1685. Ro. L'Estrange LONDON Printed for S. Heyrick J. Place and R. Sare at Grays-Inn Gate and Furnivals-Inn Gate in Holborn 1686. THE PREFACE OF Sextus Julius Frontinus TO HIS First three Books of the Stratagems of WAR HAVING undertaken amongst some other Lovers and Encouragers of the Art of War He writ a Book of the Art of War to prescribe and publish the Rules of that excellent Knowledge I conceive that I have sufficiently accomplish'd my Design according to my Ability but to this Work I judge also that I ought to annex the subtil Practices of great Captains which the Greeks in one Word stile 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Stratagems and to gather them together in short and compendious Relations for by this means Leaders may be furnish'd with the Examples of Advice Prudence and Conduct which may encourage their Invention and direct them to the Imitation of the same Exploits and it will undoubtedly prevent their distrust of their own Contrivances when they have approved Examples before their eyes to spur on their Resolutions Now I am not ignorant and cannot deny that the Historians have also comprehended in their Writings the same Passages and have delivered to us all the most remarkable Examples but in my Judgment we ought in this case to consult the Conveniency of such as are reduced to the Necessity of Speed and Action for whom it would be then too tedious to run over all the things which are scatter'd here and there in the large Volumes of Histories And it usually happens that such as have gathered and taken notice of the most noted things do lose and forget them as in a multitude of Matters which confounds the Readers Our Industry therefore shall here endeavour to exhibit and lay down that which is required according to expectation as exactly as the things will suffer for to the general Heads which I have gathered I have prepared fit Advice and Counsel from Examples And that those things which are differing might be placed in good order for the variety-sake of things we have reduc'd them to three Books In the first shall be the Examples which belong to a Battel not yet begun In the second shall be the Examples which relate to a Fight and the concluding of a Peace The third contains the Stratagems teaching how to begin carry on and raise a Siege Now under these general Heads I have placed certain Questions or Propositions as so many Species relating to them nevertheless I may with Reason crave Pardon for this Work from him that shall find me not so curious and exact as to set down every Example for Who is there able and sufficient to reckon up all the Passages and Stories which are delivered to us in Greek and Latin Therefore I have purposely omitted many things which such as have read over the Books of others who have undertaken the same things may understand to have been done not without good cause But it will be no hard matter to reduce every thing to its own Species for as I have undertaken this Work as well as others not so much for my own Commendation as for the Benefit of other Men I shall think my self assisted in my purpose by those who can add to it but in no wise disgrac'd If there be any delighted with the perusal of these Stories let them remember the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the noble Actions of former Generals and their cunning Policies and Stratagems that they may be able to discern and distinguish the like Deeds for all things that are performed by a Leader in a provident useful courageous and a magnificent manner may be stiled generally 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Stratagems are more particular Deeds The nature of them consists in that Art and Subtilty used in defending our selves from an Enemy or in overcoming him concerning which things there have been remarkable Consequences of excellent Sayings therefore we have added to the Examples of Actions some noble Expressions Now the things that are to be noted by a General before a Battel may be reduced to these Heads THE INDEX OF THE CHAPTERS Chap. 1. OF concealing Counsels Chap. 2. Of discovering the Counsels of the Enemies Chap. 3. Of settling the state of War Chap. 4. Of leading an Army through a Country in the Power of the Enemy Chap. 5. Of escaping out of most difficult places Chap. 6. Of Ambushes laid in the way Chap. 7. How those things which are wanting to us may be dissembled or concealed and the use other ways supplied Chap. 8. Of streightning an Enemy Chap. 9. Of pacifying the Disorders and Seditions of Souldiers Chap. 10. How to give a check to the unseasonable Impatience of fighting Chap. 11. How to encourage an Army to the Battel Chap. 12. How to expell the Fears which Souldiers may have conceived from ill Omens THE FIRST BOOK Of the Stratagems of WAR OF Sextus Julius Frontinus a ROMAN Consul CHAP. I. Of Concealing Counsels Example 1. MArcus Porcius Cato having a Jealousie that the Cities of Spain which he had conquered would in time rebell out of a Confidence that they had in the strength of their Walls writ to each of them that they should overthrow their Fortifications and threatned them with War if they did not immediately obey his Orders The Letters he caused to be delivered to all the Cities in one day which made every one of them believe that this Command was given to them alone for if they could have had all time to know that they were all threatned and commanded the same thing they would have united together and resisted the General 's Orders 2. When Himilco the Carthaginian Captain resolved to land in Sicily unexpected he never declar'd whither he was sailing but delivered to all the Masters of his Navy sealed Letters wherein was written the place which he was designed for but commanded that no man should read them unless by the violence of a Storm they were driven from the sight of the Admiral 's Ship which carried him 3. When C. Laelius went as an Ambassadour to King Syphax he took along with him some of the Collonels and Captains of the Army in the Garb of Slaves and Servants with an Intention to serve as Spies amongst whom when L. Statorius who had very often been in the same Camp seem'd to be known by some of the Enemies he beat him with his Staff and corrected him
as his Servant only to conceal from them his Condition 4. Tarquinius Superbus the Father resolving to have the chief of the Gabians destroyed would not intrust this Secret with any Person and answered nothing to his Son's Messenger that was sent to him but with his Rod struck off before him the heads of the highest Poppies as he was then by chance walking in his Garden The Messenger at his return without a verbal Answer told the young Tarquinius what he observ'd that his Father did He understood that he was to deal in the same manner with the most noted Persons of his Government 5. C. Caesar being in Egypt suspected the Egyptians Faith but to make them believe that he trusted them he visited their chief City and Works frequented their merry Feasts seem'd to be much delighted with the conveniency of the Places and to imitate the Customs and manner of living of the Citizens of Alexandria but during all this Dissimulation he was providing his Succours and Troops to take possession of the Kingdom of Egypt 6. When Ventidius in the Parthian War marched against King Pacorus and understood that a certain Pharneus of Cyrrhestre in Syria who was amongst his Auxiliaries did give Intelligence to the Parthian Army whatsoever was acted and resolved in the Roman Camp he took occasion to make an advantage of the Traitor's Perfidiousness for that which he most desired to be done he pretended that he was afraid that it should happen and that which he feared would come to pass he seem'd to wish for Therefore fearing that the Parthians would pass over the River Euphrates to fight him before his Legions could come up to him out of Cappadocia from the other side of Mount Taurus he sollicited the Traytor to a double Treachery to perswade the Parthians to carry their Army over that part of Euphrates that bears the Name of Zeugma where the River leaving its strait Channel turns aside for if they came the nearer way he assured them that Ventidius would make use of the Hills to defend himself and Army from the Parthian Arrows but that he was very much afraid if they took the plain and open Fields This Information oblig'd them to march the under way and to bring their Army round about They spent above forty days in siding along the larger Banks in building of laborious Bridges and in the carriage of their warlike Instruments In the mean space Ventidius had time to call together his Troops and before the Parthians were in sight they had been with him three days By this means he overcame the Parthians in Battel and kill'd their King Pacorus 7. When Pompey had begun to draw a Trench to compass in Mithridates with his Army he prepared himself to fly the next day but better to conceal this Design from the Romans he caused his men to forage far and near and to the places adjoyning to the Enemies Camp and appointed a Conference the next day with several of Pompey's men and commanded more fires to be made every where in his Trenches but in the second Watch of the Night he led out his whole Army along by the Enemies Camp and escaped 8. The Emperour Caesar Domitianus Augustus sirnamed Germanicus having an intent to surprise the Germans that had took up Arms and knowing that they would make a greater Preparation if they knew of the coming of so great a Captain he pretended the Taxation or the mustering of the Gauls to be the cause of his Departure In this manner he overcame them by an unexpected War tamed the fierceness of barbarous Nations and provided for the preservation and safety of the Roman Provinces 9. When Claudius Nero desired to cut in pieces the Army of Asdrubal before he could joyn with his Brother Hannibal he endeavour'd by hasty Marches to unite with the other Consul Livius Salinator who was appointed to oppose Asdrubal because he mistrusted the Forces that were under his Command yet would not he suffer Hannibal whom he was to oppose to have any Intelligence of his Departure For that purpose he chose ten thousand of the stoutest Souldiers of his Army and commanded his Lieutenants whom he left behind that they should place the same Sentinels and Watches every where keep the same Fires burning and observe the same order in the Camp as when he was present that Hannibal might not suspect any thing nor attempt upon the small number that was left behind for his part he went by secret ways into Vmbria now called Spoletto and joyn'd himself to his Partner but gave Order that the Camp might not be enlarged that Asdrubal might not know of his coming nor refuse to fight the Forces of both Consuls By this means he overcame him and his Army and with his increased Troops having over-powered him unawares returned back to wait upon the motions of Hannibal before he could have any knowledge of the Victory Thus he dealt with two of the most subtle Generals of the Carthaginians the one he overcame by concealing his purpose the other by his Valour he destroyed 10. Themistocles the Athenian Captain advised his Citizens to build up with all speed the Walls which the Spartans had commanded to be pull'd down and to the Lacedaemonian Ambassadours which were sent to interrupt the Work he answered That he would go himself to Sparta to give an account of this proceeding and satisfie the Citizens At his Arrival he pretended himself sick and by that means spun out some time at last when he perceived that they suspected and understood his delays he affirmed to them that they had heard false Reports and desired them to send some of their chief men who might give them a true Account of the Fortifications of Athens And at the same time he writ to his Citizens privately to detain such as should come untill their Works were finished that he might then declare to the Lacedaemonians that Athens was fortified and that their Citizens should not be returned back unless they gave him liberty to be gone which the Lacedaemonians easily granted for fear that one mans Death should be punished with the loss of many 11. L. Furius having brought his Army into a very inconvenient place he resolved to conceal the trouble of his Mind for fear of giving an Apprehension to others and at the same time gave Orders to his Army to march aside a little as if he had intended only to take a compass about and fall upon the Enemy In this manner he brought out his Army ignorant both of the Danger and of the Intent of his Orders into a safer Post 12. When Metellus Pius was asked in Spain what he would do the next day he answered That if his Wastcoat could tell it he would immediately cast it into the fire 13. M. Licinius Crassus gave this Answer to one that asked him at what time he would remove his Camp Art thou afraid that thou shalt not hear the Sound of the Trumpet or the Signal
showre of poisoned Arrows from their Engines he covered them as they marched on the side of the Navy with their Captives for whom the Enemies had so great a respect that they stop'd their Arrows 2. Agesilaus the Lacedaemonian returning out of Phrygia loaden with Spoils was closely pursued by his Enemies who taking the advantage of a certain Place fell upon his Troops which made him to rank all his Prisoners on both sides of his Army while the Enemy spared them the Lacedaemonians had time and space to escape out of the danger 3. The same General when the Theban Army had possessed themselves of the Streights through which he was to pass he turn'd aside as if he had been to go directly to the City of Thebes which so affrighted the Thebans that they forsook their Stations to defend their Town This caus'd Agesilaus to return back and to proceed on the way that he had designed without any Disturbance 4. Nicostratus the General of the Aetolians making War against them of Epirus finding that the Passages into that Country were very narrow made shew as if he intended to assault them in one place where he left some few of his Souldiers to maintain the Appearance of an Army whilst he with the rest of his Troops enter'd into the Country by another way where he was least expected 5. Autophradates the Persian marching with his Army into Pisidia found certain straight Passages possessed by the Inhabitants which made him to dissemble an Unwillingness to pass further and to resolve to return back the Pisidians believed that he had been in earnest but he in the night sent a very strong Party to master that place and the next day he pass'd through with his whole Army 6. Philip King of Macedonia intending to go over into Greece heard that the Streights called Thermopylae were possessed by the Enemy at the same time the Aetolian Ambassadours Lords of those Streights came to him to treat about Conditions of Peace Philip secur'd them and with all speed marched with his Army to the Thermopylae where he found the Guards secure expecting the return of their Ambassadours Thus he seis'd upon those Streights and unexpected past through with his Army 7. Iphicrates the Athenian General fighting against Anaxibius the Lacedaemonian Captain in the Hellespont about the Town Abydos was forced to pass with his Army through certain places which were guarded by the Enemy for in one side of the Passage were high and steep Mountains in the other the Waves of the Sea He stopt some small time till a day happened to be colder than ordinary and therefore most fit to conceal his purpose He chose a select number of his strongest Souldiers whom he warm'd with Wine and Oyl commanding them to march along the Sea-shore and to climb over the steepest Places Thus he surprised the Guards behind unexpected and mastered them 8. When Cn. Pompeius could not well pass his Army over a River because of the Enemies Troops he often brought forth his Army out of their Trenches and as often led them in again that he might persuade the Enemy that the Romans could find no way to march forwards Then upon a sudden he gave an Onset and gain'd the Passage 9. When Porus the Indian King stop'd Alexander the Macedonian with his Army from passing the River Hydaspes he commanded his Greek Troops to run against the Stream and when by that Proceeding Porus was brought to take most heed and care of the other side of the River on a sudden he past over with his Army a little higher than was expected The same Alexander being hinder'd in the Passage of another River by the Enemy he commanded that several Troops of Horse should appear in several places on the sides of the Water and offer to pass over By that means he kept the Enemy employed and expecting his motion there whilst he got into his Power an Island at a distance first with a small Guard after with a greater and from thence he commanded them to pass over to the other side of the River When all the Enemies were marching to encounter and destroy this small Party he had the Ford at liberty to get over with all his Army to joyn with his men on the other side 10. Xenophon in his March found that the Armenians stood on the other side of a River to impede his Passage he therefore commanded his men to seek out two Fords and when he was opposed by the Enemy at the lower Ford he returned to the higher when likewise he was encountred there by the Enemy he went back to the lower Ford commanding a Party of his Men to remain there While therefore the Armenians continued to defend the lower Ford he pass'd over at the higher but they imagining that all would come down they were deceived by those that remain'd for these when the Ford was at liberty they got on the other side without hinderance and became a defence to all the rest of their men whilst they marched thro' the River 11. P. Claudius Cons in the first Punick War being not able to pass over with his Army from Rhegium to Messana in Sicily whilst the Carthaginians kept the Streights caused a Report to be spread about That he could no longer continue in this War because it was begun without the Consent of the People of Rome and that he would sail with his Fleet back into Italy when the Carthaginians were departed who believed that he was really gone he return'd suddenly and landed in Sicily 12. When the Lacedaemonian Generals intended to sail to Syracuse and were afraid of the Carthaginian Fleet sent to intercept them they ordered ten Ships of Carthage which they had taken to sail before with others drag'd and tied behind and on the sides as if they had been overcome in Fight by which Appearance the Carthaginians that waited for them were deceived and they arrived safe to their Haven 13. When King Philip could not pass over the Streights called Cyanea because of the Athenian Fleet which guarded that convenient place he writ to Antipater one of his Generals that the Province of Thracia having destroyed the Garrisons that he had left there was in Rebellion and therefore that leaving other Business he should follow him which Letter he caus'd to be intercepted by the Enemy The Athenians judging that they had understood the Secrets of the Macedonians sailed away with their Fleet and Philip without resistance freed these Streights from the Enemy The same King being hinder'd in his Design upon Cherronesus which was belonging to the Athenians because not only the Ships of Byzantium but also of Rhodes and Chios were in the Passage endeavoured to gain their Friendship by restoring to them the Ships that he had taken offering to make them Judges and Mediators of the Peace between him and them of Byzantium who were the causes of the War In this Negotiation he spun out craftily a long time always adding
something to the Articles that he pretended was wanting and in the mean while he fitted out his own Fleet to carry him and his Army on a sudden over the Streights when the Enemy was unprepared to hinder him 14. Chabrias the Athenian not being able to enter into the Haven of Samos because of the Enemies Ships that oppos'd him and guarded the place commanded a few of his Ships to pass by the Haven imagining that the Enemies would follow them which accordingly happened he by that means got into the Haven with the rest of his Fleet. CHAP. V. Of escaping out of most difficult places Example 1. Q. Sertorius being pursued by his Enemies to the side of a River which he was to pass caused a Bulwark to be cast up in the manner of a half Moon on the Bank of the River and furnished it with combustible stuff which he caused to be set on fire by that means the Enemy was kept off and he passed over without any hindrance 2. In the like manner Pelopidas the Theban in the War of Thessaly obtained a safe Passage over a River for having shut in a large compass of ground within his Camp he placed upon the Rampires and Bastions round about forked Stakes with much combustible matter and whilst the Enemy was kept off by the Fire he got over to the other side 3. Q. Lutatius Catulus having received a Repulse from the Cimbri and seeing no hopes of Safety but in the passage of a River whereof the Banks were possessed by the Enemy marched with his Troops to the next Mountain as if he had intended there to settle his Camp but commanded his Men not to lay down their Burdens nor to loosen their Fardels and that none should offer to depart from their Ranks or Colours and that he might better confirm the Enemy in this Persuasion he ordered some few Tabernacles to be raised in the most conspicuous places and Fires to be kindled and that some few of his men should cast up a Ditch and others should appear to go out to fetch Wood. All which Actions the Cimbri conceiving to be done in earnest chose also a place to pitch their Tents and sent out several Parties to provide those things that were needful for their abode by this means they gave an opportunity to Catulus not only to pass over his Army but also to streighten the Enemies Camp 4. When Craesus could not get over a Ford of the River Halys and having neither Ships nor necessaries to build a Bridge he caused a deep Trench to be drawn in the upper part of the River behind his Camp and so turn'd the Current of the Water behind him 5. Cn. Pompeius designing at Brundusium to depart out of Italy and transport the War into Greece because Caesar was likely to attempt upon his Troops when they should endeavour to get on Ship-board caused some streets to be stopt up in others he made Walls to be builded a-cross in others he caused Trenches to be drawn and sharp stakes hardned in the fire to be fixed in them covering them over with Hurdles hid under the Earth which was cast on the top And some ways that led to the Haven he stopt with Beams laid upon one another very thick When all this was done he made shew of a Resolution to defend the Town by placing some few Archers round the Walls The rest of his Troops without noise he commanded aboard and when they were all shipped the Archers likewise by known ways hastened after him in small Ships that waited for them in the Haven 6. C. Duillius Cons enter'd into the Haven of Syracuse unadvisedly for he was shut in by a Chain cross the Entrance he caused therefore all his Souldiers to weigh down the Stern of his Ships and when the fore-part was lifted up by the weight behind he caused the Oars to row that part over the Chain violently which being done all the Souldiers returned again to the fore-part to press that down by this means all the weight of the Ships being got over the Chain caused them to escape over it 7. When Lysander the Lacedaemonian was besieged with all his Navy in the Haven of Athens being oppressed with the number of his Enemies Ships he ordered his Souldiers to land secretly on that part of the Shore where the Sea hath the streightest Passage to flow in and his Ships to be placed upon Wheels and carried over land to the nearest Port named Monoecius or rather Munychias 8. Herculeius the Lieutenant of Sertorius in Spain enter'd with a small Party to march along a narrow way between two steep Mountains and understanding that a great number of his Enemies were at hand coming against him he caused speedily a Ditch to be dig'd a cross between the two Hills and a Rampire made with combustible stuff to be set on Fire Thus while the Enemy was kept off with the Fire he escaped 9. C. Caesar in the Civil War leading his Army against Afranius and finding that he was not able to retreat with safety as he had designed caused the first and second Battalion secretly to withdraw themselves behind his Army and to apply themselves to dig a Trench of fifteen foot broad into which about Sun-set he marched with his Army in Battel 10. Pericles the Athenian being driven by the Inhabitants of the Peloponnesus into a certain place which was so surrounded with steep Hills that there were but two Passages to escape out caus'd a Ditch to be dig'd of a very great breadth on one side as if he had purposed to exclude the Enemy that side on the other he commanded a way to be made as if he had intended there to escape The Besiegers never imagining that Pericles's Army would offer to escape over the Ditch that he had drawn resolved all to oppose him in the broad way But Pericles having cast over his Ditch a Bridge with Planks that he had ready suddenly commanded over his Party that way where there was no resistance 11. Lysimachus one of them who succeeded to the Wealth and Command of Alexander designing to fix his Camp on a high Hill by the Indiscretion of his Officers was brought into a Valley where he feared the coming down of his Enemies from the upper Ground he therefore dig'd three Trenches against them within his Camp and also round about all the Tents the like number of Ditches By that means he stop'd the Enemies Passage and by casting of Bows over the Ditches covering them over with Turf and Earth he passed over gave an Assault to the Enemy and got up to the higher Ground 12. Cn. Fronteius Crassus going out in Spain to plunder the Country with three thousand men was surrounded by Hasdrubal in a dangerous place He communicated his Resolution and Purpose only to the first Ranks and in the beginning of the night at what time it was least expected he broke through the Enemies Post 13. L. Furius having led his Army
into a difficult place he resolved to conceal the trouble of his Mind that the rest might not be afraid commanding his Men to march a little aside as if he had intended to assault the Enemy by taking a greater compass about but by turning his Army round who knew nothing of the matter he brought them into safety 14. P. Decius the Tribune in the Samnetick War persuaded Cornelius Cossus the Consul who was surprised by the Enemy in a dangerous Place to command a small Party to seize upon a neighbouring Hill and offered himself to command that Party for by this means the Enemy being resolved to oppose this motion suffered the Consul to escape but surrounded and besieged Decius but in the Night he also sallied out of those Streights After some Contest he arrived in Safety with his Souldiers and joyned the Consuls Army 15. The same Course was observed under the Command of Attilius Calatinus Cons by him whose Name is variously written some call him Laberius some Q. Caeditius most write that he was named Calpurnius Flamma This Captain finding that his Army was led into such a Valley that on every side the Enemy had taken possession of the higher ground desired and obtained of the Consul three hundred men whom he encourag'd by their Valour to save the whole Army With this Party he marched into the midst of the Valley and immediately all the Enemies ran down upon them to cut them off so that while he was busied in a very fierce and long Combate he gave opportunity and leisure to the Consul to draw off his Army 16. L. Minutius the Consul in Liguria having led his Army into a streight place and every one did yet remember the sad Destruction of the Romans called Caudinae Clades commanded the Numidians his Auxiliary Troops who were despicable in regard of the Deformity of their Persons and of their Horses to ride up and down about the narrow Passage that led out of the Streights which was defended by the Enemy first they fearing to be provok'd to Battel stood to their Station and kept their Post but the Numidians endeavour'd to cause themselves to be despised by falling purposely from their Horses and in playing strange Tricks as in sport At this unusual sight the Ligurians began to open their Ranks and to mind nothing but the seeing of the Play The Numidians perceiving this drew nearer and nearer at last clapping the Spurs to their Horses they broke through the neglected and open Ranks or Stations of their Enemies and then falling upon the neighbouring Country forced the Ligurians to depart and defend their Dwellings and to suffer the Romans quietly to march out 17. L. Sylla in the War of the Confederates near the City Esernia in Italy was surprised in a streight place therefore he sent to the Enemies Army commanded by Duillius for a Parley and began to treat of the Conditions of Peace without any Success but perceiving the Enemy to be grown more negligent because of the Truce departed in the night leaving behind him his Trumpeter who was to divide the Watches as long as any should remain behind and at the fourth Watch should follow him Thus he brought away all his Army with all their baggage and warlike Instruments into safety 18. The same Sylla in the War against Archelaus Mithridates's General in Cappadocia was worsted by the multitude of his Enemies in an incommodious place he therefore propos'd to them Articles of Peace and obtain'd a time of Truce by this Diversion of the Enemies Intentions he escap'd out of the danger 19. Hasdrubal Hannibal's Brother being not able to get out of a Wood whereof the Passages were stop'd by Claudius Nero began to treat with him and to promise that if he might be suffered to depart he would leave Spain Afterwards he spent some days in finding fault with the Conditions imposed In the mean while by certain narrow Paths which were therefore neglected he sent away his Souldiers by Parties and at the last he himself escaped with the rest that were the compleatest part of his Army 20. Spartacus marched over a little Trench with which M. Crassus had inclosed him in by filling it up in the night with the Bodies of his Captives and of Beasts 21. The same Person being besieged in Mount Vesuvius escaped over the steepest and most craggy part which was not therefore guarded by twisting together some Field Withies of which he made Chains to slide down and afterwards he so terrified Claudius on another side that some of his Troops were put to flight by seventy four Fencers 22. The same Spartacus being shut up by L. Varinus the Proconsul fixed Stakes at some little distance from one another at which he tied dead Bodies standing upright and clothed with their Arms that such as should look at a distance might fancy it to be a Party in Guard and caused besides Fires to be kindled about his Camp every where Whilst his Enemy was deceived with this vain Appearance he led out in the night all his Army peaceably 23. Brasidas the Lacedaemonian Captain was surprised about Amphipolis by a great Multitude of Athenians which he was not able to resist he therefore suffered himself to be shut in by them that by extenuating their Body in a round Circle he might break out through some part of their Body where they were thinnest 24. Iphicrates in Thracia having placed his Camp in a low ground understood that the Enemy had taken the next Hill from which a Party was come to cut them off He commanded his men to make many Fires and left a few within his Camp in the Night for that purpose In the mean while he led out his Army and placed them along the ways on both sides through which he suffer'd the Enemy to pass and caught them in the same disadvantageous place in which he was before Thus he cut off some part of their Rear and took the rest in the Camp 25. Darius to hide from the Scythians his Departure left behind him in his Camp the Dogs and the Asses which while the Enemy heard barking and braying they thought that Darius was yet there 26. The Ligurians deceived the Romans with a like Subtilty In divers places they tied to the Trees wild Bullocks which being left behind by their frequent bellowing shewed the appearance of an Army to the Enemy 27. Hanno being shut in by the Enemy set on fire a great deal of light and combustible stuff in that place which was fittest for him to sally out And when he saw the Enemy gone to defend the other Passages he led his Souldiers through the Flames advising them to cover their Faces with their Bucklers and their Legs with their Cloths 28. Hannibal to escape out of an incommodious and barren place being pursued by Fabius Maximus in the night tied dry Faggots of Wood to the Horns of Oxen which he set on Fire and sent them out the Flame increasing by
the motion of the Beasts caused them to bellow and run furiously over the Mountains where they were driven giving a great Light The Romans that went out first to examine the business thought it a Prodigy and a Wonder afterwards when they had given a true Account to Fabius he kept his Men within the Camp for fear of Ambushes In the mean while Hannibal with his Army marched out without resistance CHAP. VI. Of Ambushes laid in the way Example 1. FVlvius sirnamed the Nobler leading his Army out of Samnium against the Lucani understood by some Run-a-ways that the Enemies would set upon his Rear which caused him to order his stoutest Legion to march in the Van and placed in the Rear his Baggage The Enemies embracing this which was done on purpose began to plunder the Carriage but Fulvius had appointed five Companies of the forementioned Legion to be in the right side of the way and five in the left so that when the Enemy was wholly intent and busie about the Plunder he shut them in on both sides with his Souldiers drawn up and cut them in pieces 2. The same Fulvius was pursued close by his Enemy in the Rear whilst he was marching towards a River near at hand which was not so great as to hinder his Passage though the swiftness of the Stream did stop him On the higher Banks he left one Legion in a secret place that the Enemy might be more incourag'd to pursue after by the small number which they would infallibly despise which accordingly happen'd then the Legion which was placed on purpose came out of the Ambuscado assaulted and destroyed them 3. When Iphicrates led into Thracia a long Army because of the narrowness of the way and News was brought to him that the Enemy would assault the Rear he commanded some Companies to withdraw on both sides and there to stand and the rest to proceed on and hasten speedily their March but when they passed by he kept with him every choice Man so that when the Enemy was busie and scattered about the Prey and already weary he came upon them with his well-ordered and fresh Troops routed them and took from them all the Plunder 4. The Boii when the Romans were to pass through the Wood called Litana or Latina had so cut the Trees that they stood upright supported by such a small part that at the least violence they would fall they being hid in the Borders of the Wood when therefore their Enemies were enter'd in they flung down the first and these fulling broke down the next by this means they cast down a great many upon the Romans and crush'd a considerable Party to pieces CHAP. VII By what means the things that we stand in need of may seem not to be wanting or the use otherways supplied Example 1. L. Caecilius Metellus having no Ships to carry his Elephants over the Sea joyned together some Hogsheads and cast Boards over them upon which he placed his Elephants and sent them into Italy over the Sicilian Streights 2. When Hannibal could not oblige his Elephants to march through a deep River and had neither Ships nor Boards to build any to carry them over he commanded the fiercest of these Beasts to be wounded under the Ear by one who should immediately run away and swim over the Water by this means it happened that the Elephant being stirred up to revenge it self upon the Author of its Pain past over the River and gave an example for the rest to follow 3. The Carthaginian Captains having a Fleet to prepare and wanting Tow and Hemp they shaved the Women of the Country and with their Hair made Ropes 4. Those of Marseilles and Rhodes have done the like 5. M. Antonius flying from Mutina furnished his Souldiers with the Bark of Trees instead of Bucklers 6. The Bucklers of Spartacus and his Army were made of Withies covered over with Skins or Hides 7. It will not be amiss I conceive to relate in this place that noble Deed of Alexander the Great who marching with his Army through the desart place of Africa they as well as himself were grievously afflicted with Thirst and when a Souldier brought him some Water in his Head-piece he spilt it upon the ground in the presence of them all This example of Abstinence proved to be more useful than if he could have supplied them with Water CHAP. VIII Of streightning an Enemy Example 1. WHen Cariolanus undertook to revenge the shame of his Banishment by an open War he forbid the spoiling of the Lands belonging to the Noble-men of Rome but burnt and destroyed the Lands of the Common People that by that means he might cause a Discord between the Romans and a division in their Consents and Resolutions 2. Hannibal endeavoured to bring into Jealousie and asperse with Infamy Fabius Maximus unto whom he was not equal in Courage nor in the arts of War by destroying all the Country and leaving his Fields alone untouch'd But he to preserve himself in the Reputation of his Citizens that they might not suspect his Faithfulness had such a great and noble Soul as to cause his Possessions to be publickly offer'd to be sold 3. Q. Fabius Maximus being Consul the fifth time when the Armies of the Gauls the Vmbri the Hetrusci and the Samnites joyned together against the People of Rome against whom he had fortified his Camp beyond the Apennine Hills writ to Fulvius and Posthumius who were left to defend the City to march with their Forces to the Town of Sitium or Clusium The Hetrusci and the Vmbri followed them to defend their Borders and left the Samnites and the Gauls whom Fabius together with his Partner Decius assaulted and overcame 4. When M. Curius marched against the Sabins who having gathered a numerous Army left their own Borders and entred into the Confines of the Romans he sent by private ways a Party of his Men to spoil the Fields of the Sabins and to burn their Towns here and there which oblig'd the Sabins to return to prevent the spoiling of their own Country By this means Curius had an opportunity to waste the Borders of the Enemy to drive away their Army without fighting and when they were separated to overcome them 5. When T. Didius was afraid with the small number of his Men to encounter the Enemy and delayed the Fight till the coming of the Legions that were expected and hearing that the Enemy was marching against them he made a Speech to his Souldiers and commanded them to prepare for a Fight and purposely caus'd the Captives to be negligently kept so that some of them escaped and carried news to their Party that the Remans were ready for the Battel which made them in expectation of a Fight to keep their strength together and not march to meet them for whom they designed to lye in Ambush By this means the Legions arrived safe to Didius without the loss of one man
sides of the River he marched up to the Hills The Thebans judging it to be done out of Fear passed the River with their Army and easily beat off the Guard and hastily followed after Agesilaus who routed them in a disadvantageous place with a handful of Men. 4. Scorylo the General of the Daci understood that the People of Rome were divided and troubled with Civil Wars yet he thought not convenient to venture against them because Citizens may unite together against a foreign Enemy To make his Countrymen sensible of this he caused two Dogs to fight very eagerly before them and at the same time a Wolf to appear The Dogs immediately left their fighting and run upon the Wolf By this Example he kept back those barbarous and ignorant People from attempting any thing against the Romans CHAP. XI How an Army is to be encourag'd to a Fight Example 1. WHen M. Fabius and Cn. Manlius were Consuls and Generals against the Hetrusci the Army because of the Seditions were very unwilling to fight of their own accord pretended a delay until the Souldiers were forced and animated by the Reproaches of the Enemies to desire the liberty to fight them and to swear that they would never return without the Victory 2. Fulvius the Nobler being necessitated with a small Army to fight with a numerous Army of the Samnites who were proud of their former Successes pretended that a Legion of the Enemies had been by him corrupted and perswaded to revolt and to confirm them in this Belief commanded the Collonels and the Captains of his first Ranks to gather together all the coined Money the Gold and Silver that they had and offer it to the Traitors as their Reward withal he promised them that should lend their Money that when the Victory was obtained he would gratifie and reward them sufficiently which Persuasion and Belief gave such an Alacrity and Confidence to the Romans that it obtained for them a famous Victory and the Conclusion immediately after of the War 3. C. Caesar marching with his Army to give Bartel to Ariovistus told in a Speech to his Souldiers who were troubled with Fear That he would employ that day none but the tenth Legion to fight that by this Testimony and Declaration of exceeding in Carriage they might be obliged to behave themselves manfully and the rest for Shame and Grief that others should carry away the Glory and Esteem of Valour might be forced to fight bravely 4. Q. Fabius Maximus who knew very well that the Romans were of such a generous Disposition that they would be provoked by Contempt and understanding also that there was nothing of Moderation or Justice to be expected from the Carthaginians sent Ambassadours to Carthage to treat about Articles of Peace They brought back such unjust Conditions and so insolent that the Roman Army were thereby incouraged to fight rather than to yield to them 5. Agesilaus the General of the Lacedaemonians having pitched his Camp near the confederate City of the Orthomeni understood that the most part of his Souldiers were securing their most precious things within the Walls he therefore commanded the Citizens not to receive any thing which belonged to his Army that his Souldiers might fight more desperately when they knew that they were to fight for the Preservation of all that they had 6. When Epaminondas the General of the Thebans was to give Battel to the Lacedaemonians that his Souldiers might be encouraged not only by their Strength but also by their Inclinations he declared in a publick Speech That the Lacedaemonians intended if they obtained the Victory to destroy all the Males to lead away into Captivity their Wives and Children and to demolish Thebes This Discovery so stir'd them up and made them so resolved that at the first Onset the Thebans got the Victory of the Lacedaemonians 7. Leotychidas the Lacedaemonian Captain being to fight the same day in which his Confederates had gained a Victory at Sea though he was ignorant of what had been done published abroad that he had received the News that his Friends had got the day that his Souldiers who were to fight might be more courageous 8. A. Posthumius in the Battel against the Latins encouraged his Army with the Appearance of two Young-men on Horseback whom he declared to be Castor and Pollux come to their Assistance By this means he obliged them to return to the Fight 9. Archidamus the Lacedaemonian making War against the Arcadians erected an Altar in his Camp and caused Horses to be led round about it in the Night The next Morning he shewed their Footsteps and told his Men that Castor and Pollux had rid round about and would be assisting to them in the Battel 10. When Pericles the General of the Athenians was to give Battel he took notice that there was a Grove in the view of both Armies of an extraordinary Thickness and very dark and large consecrated to Pluto in this place he put a Man of a large Stature upon very high and big Slippers with a purple Robe and long Hair upon a great Chariot dragg'd by two white Horses that when the Signal for the Battel should be given he might call Pericles by name and encourage him and promise him the Assistance of the Gods which so terrified the Enemies that before the casting of their Darts they fled 11. L. Sylla that his Souldiers might be more ready to fight pretended that the Gods did discover to him things to come And at last in the sight of his Army before they entered into the Conflict he would pray to an Image of a moderate Bigness which he had taken from Delphos saying to it that it should make good and hasten the Victory that it had promised to him 12. C. Marius had a certain Magician Woman out of Syria to tell him of the Success and Events of Battels 13. Q. Sertorius having an Army of barbarous Souldiers not governed by reason led about Portugal with him a white Hind very large and beautiful by which he told them that he understood the things that he was to do and avoid to the end that those barbarous People might obey his Orders as commanded from above We must not make use of this sort of Stratagems only when we are to deal with such as we judge unskilful and ignorant but much more those things are to be invented which may be of that kind that it may be believed that they have been discovered by these things 14. When Alexander the Macedonian was to offer Sacrifice he caused to be written with a Juyce in that hand of the Diviner which he was to put upon the Bowels of the Beast such Letters as did signifie that Alexander should have the Victory which Letters appearing upon the hot Liver was shewn by the King to the Souldiers to encrease their Courage as if the Gods did promise to him the Victory 15. Innides the Soothsayer did practice the same thing when Eumenes
to fly but in the Flight brought into their Ambush the Enemy who running furiously in unknown Ground stuck fast in the Mire and by that means were circumvented 7. Viriatus who of a Robber turned General of the Celtiberi a People of Spain seemingly fled before the Roman Cavalry untill he had led them into a place full of Pits and craggy with which he was so well acquainted that he escaped with his Party through a firm Path then did he fall upon the Romans when they were fast in the mire and in a ground which they knew not and cut them in pieces 8. Fulvius General in the Cimbrick War having his Camp near adjoyning to the Enemies commanded his Cavalry to ride up to their Trenches to provoke them to fight and then to pretend to fly and retreat back When he had practised this Policy for certain days the Cimbri followed them furiously so that he took notice that their Camp was not so well mann'd as before therefore with part of his Army he caused his usual Custom to be observed with another Party of light-harnessed Souldiers he marched to the other side of the Enemies Camp undiscovered and when he saw that they were gone out in Pursuit as their manner was he suddenly assaulted them broke through the Trenches that were forsaken and took the Camp 9. Cn. Fulvius when an Army of the Falisci far greater than the Romans was entered into their Borders caus'd certain Houses far from his Camp to be set on fire by some of his Souldiers and the Enemies thinking that they had been done by some of their Men in hopes of Booty march'd out into several Parties which weaken'd the main Body 10. Alexander marching out of Epirus against the Illyrians placed a small Party in Ambush and caused some of his own Men in the Habit of Illyrians to destroy and burn his own Country of Epirus which when the Illyrians saw they began to scatter and to plunder every where and the more confidently because the Spoilers served them as Scouts who purposely decoyed them into an uneven ground and set upon them and routed them 11. Leptenes also General of Syracusa against the Carthaginians commanded his own Country to be destroyed and certain Villages and Castles to be set on fire that the Carthaginians might think that this was done by their own Party which caused them to march out to help and to fall into an Ambush that routed them 12. Maharbal being sent General against the Rebellious Africans knew that they were greedy of Wine He therefore caused a Vessel of Wine to be seasoned with Mandrake that hath a stupifying Vertue next to Poison Afterwards when he came to skirmish a little with the Enemy he sounded a Retreat out of design and in the dead of the night having left in his Camp some of his Baggage and all his Wine poisoned with that Ingredient he pretended to fly When the barbarous Enemy had taken his Camp they gave themselves over to rejoycing and to drink freely of the poisoned Wine which caused them to lye on the Ground stupified as dead At that Instant Maharbal returned with his Army took and slew them without resistance 13. Hannibal knowing that his own and the Romans Camp was in a place that wanted Wood lest behind him purposely in a desart place many Heads of Cattel within his Camp of which when the Romans had taken possession in this great want of Wood loaded themselves with raw and unwholsome Meat Then did Hannibal return in the night with his Army and finding them secure and distempered with raw Flesh he made a great slaughter of them 14. When Tiberius Gracchus was General in Spain he understood that the Enemy was poor and wanted Trade he left therefore his Camp furnished with all manner of Dainties for Food which when the Enemy had taken and fill'd themselves without measure he brought back his Army and suddenly over-power'd them 15. They who made War against the Erythraeans took one of their Scouts standing in an Enemies place and kill'd him giving his Cloaths to one of their own Souldiers who made such Signs to the Erythraeans as that they were brought thereby into an Ambuscado 16. Whereas the Arabians have a noted Custom amongst them to signifie the coming of an Enemy by day with Smoak by night with Fire they therefore ordered this to be continually practis'd but when the Enemy was approaching to forbear the Custom who when they saw no Fires imagined that their Coming was not known they entering therefore too hastily into the Borders were destroyed 17. Alexander the Macedonian when the Enemy had fortified their Camp in a high Wood took a Party of his Men commanding those who were left behind to kindle Fires as formerly and to shew the Appearance of the whole Army in the mean while he led that select Party by unknown ways round about to the higher Ground from whence he assaulted and drove away the Enemies 18. Memnon King of Rhodes being stronger than the Enemy in Calvary and they abiding on Hills for shelter resolved to bring them down with this Policy He sent some of his Souldiers into their Camp as Run-a-ways to inform them that Memnon's Army was already vexed with a sore Sedition and that some part of it was already gone and that he might confirm them in that belief he ordered some little Forts in every side to be fortified in the Enemies sight as if they intended to refuge themselves there who were at variance when they who were in the Mountains heard of this they came down upon the plain Ground and while they were assaulting the Castles and Forts they were surrounded by the Cavalry of Memnon 19. Harridas King of the Molossi being at Wars with Ardies the Illyrian who had a more numerous Army sent away all his weak People into the neighbouring Country of Aetolia to disperse the same that he intended to deliver up his Cities and Wealth into the hands of the Aetolians in the mean while he placeth all such as could bear Arms in Ambush in the Mountains and rocky Places The Illyrians fearing lest the Aetolians should take possession of all that belong'd to the Molossi hasted to the Plunder without order Then did Harridas come out of his Ambush assaulted them unawares and scattered up and down routed and put them to Flight 20. T. Labienus while he was Caesar's Lieutenant against the Gauls before the Arrival of the Germans whom he knew would come to their Assistance desired to fight with them but made shew of being jealous of his own Forces for that purpose he planted his Camp on the other side of the River and appointed to march away on the next day The Gauls thought that he had fled away they resolved therefore to pass over the River that was between them But while they were busie in passing over the River he had brought about his Army upon them and cut them in pieces 21. When Hannibal understood that
caused Curio the Roman General to rejoyce when he made as if he would return into his own Country Curio being deceived by that vain Confidence pursued after Sabora the King's Commander so far that he came into open Fields where he was beset with the Numidian Cavalry lost his Army and his Life also 41. Melanthus the Athenian Captain when he was challenged by Xanthus the Boeotian the Enemies King and came to fight him in a Duel assoon as he drew near cried to him Thou dost basely Xanthus and against our Agreement for thou art come followed by a Second to encounter with one single man when he began to wonder and look back who it was accompanied him he run him in behind and kill'd him 42. Iphicrates the Athenian General understanding at the Chersonesus of Greece that Anaxibius the Lacedaemonian Commander led an Army by Land took out of his Ships a very strong Party of Souldiers and laid them in Ambush but all the Ships he caused to sail away as if they had been loaden with Souldiers and when the Lacedaemonians were secure and never dreamed of an Assault in their March he fell upon them in the Rear and routed them 43. When the Liburni a People of Dalmatia besieged certain marish and shelvy Places by the Sea they discovered only their Heads and made the Enemy believe that it was the wide Sea by that means they took a Galley that in pursuit of them stuck fast in the quick-sand or Bank 44. Alcibiades the Athenian Commander in the Heilespont against Numidarus the Lacedaemonian General having a numerous Army and many Ships landed a Party of his Men in the night and some of his Ships he caused to lye concealed behind a certain Promontory or High-land whilst he with a few only fit to provoke the Enemies Contempt fled before them till he had brought them into the Snare he then forc'd them to fly and to save themselves on Land but as they went on Shore he cut them off by that Party that he had landed on purpose 45. The same Alcibiades being ready to fight a Battel at Sea fixed a certain number of Masts in a High-land that advanc'd into the Water commanding those who were there to keep Guard that assoon as the Battel was begun they should hang out their Sails By this means it happen'd that the Enemies imagining that there was another Fleet coming to his Assistance fled away 46. Memnon of Rhodes having in his Fleet two hundred Ships ready for a Sea-fight and desirous to draw the Enemies to a Battel commanded that but a few of his Vessels should have their Masts up and that they should sayl before When therefore the Enemies saw the number of the Masts and by them judged of the number of the Ships they boldly came out to fight but were easily over-power'd by the greater number of Vessels 47. When Timotheus the Athenian General was to fight at Sea against the Lacedaemonians and that their Fleet came forward well provided for the encounter he sent twenty of his nimblest Ships which by all means should sail here and there and weary the Enemy in the pursuit which assoon as he perceived was effected and that they began to be heavy he then set upon them and easily overcame such as were out of order and wearied out CHAP. VI. Of giving the Enemy liberty to escape lest he should out of despair renew the Fight Example 1. WHen the Gauls after that Battel which was given when Camillus was General desired Boats and Vessels to pass over the Tiber the Senate gave order that they should be furnish'd with Boats and Provisions for their Journey And when some of the same People fled through the Country Pomptinus there was a way allowed them which is now called Gallica 2. L. Martius the Roman Knight whom the Army made General after the two Scipios were killed surpris'd and overcame the Carthaginians but lest they should fight more fiercely out of Despair he caused his Ranks to be opened and gave them liberty to escape and when they were scatter'd and fled he destroyed them behind without any damage or hazard to his Army 3. When C. Caesar had shut in the Germans and that they did fight more stoutly he gave them liberty to depart and in the Flight he fell upon them with more advantage 4. Hannibal at the Lake Thrasymenus inclosed in a Party of Romans who resisted him most desperately he therefore opened them a way to escape and as they were flying he cut them in pieces without any damage to his Men. 5. Antigonus King of Macedonia besieged a Party of Aetolians and brought them to so great a Famine that they resolved to sally out and dye valiantly He therefore gave them a way and opportunity to fly away by that means having disappointed their impetuous Resolution he followed them in the Rear and destroyed them 6. Agesilaus the Lacedaemonian fighting in a Battel against the Thebans and understanding that the Enemy being shut up by the narrowness of the place fought out of Despair more furiously open'd the Ranks of his Army and gave them liberty to depart but after he pursued them fell in upon their Rear and routed them 7. Cn. Manlius the Consul returning from the Fight found that the Roman Camp was taken by the Hetrurians he ordered therefore all the Gates to be so well guarded that the Enemies when they were shut in were so furiously exasperated that they killed him in the heat of the Fight which when his Lieutenants took notice of they caused on one side the Guards to be withdrawn and a Passage for the Hetrurians to escape but they fell upon them in their Retreat and by the coming in of the other Consul they cut them in pieces 8. Themistocles when Xerxes was overthrown hindered the Grecians from breaking the Bridge as they had resolved because it was more Wisdom to expell and shut him out of Europe than to force him out of Despair to fight he therefore sent a Messenger to him to advise him in what danger he was in unless he made more speed to pass over into Asia 9. Pyrrhus King of Epirus having taken a certain City and finding by the shutting of the Gates that he had reduced such as were within to such Despair that they did fight the more desperately he gave them liberty to depart 10. The same Pyrrhus amongst the other Directions given to a General in his Book he recommends this That we must nor press nor pursue after an Enemy that is in Flight too unmercifully first lest he should be driven out of necessity to resist and stop a victorious Course secondly that thereby we might oblige an Enemy at another time to yield the Day the sooner and at an easier rate when he shall consider that the Conquerours will not pursue too eagerly after the Lives of such as are forced to fly CHAP. VII How to dissemble ill Successes Example 1. TVllius Hostilius King of the Romans
the City Walls 7. Epaminondas the Theban General in Arcadia when the Women of the Enemies came out of the City on a Festival Day and wander'd up and down in Companies joyned to them some of his own Souldiers in the Garb of Women who being admitted in that Habit within the Gates towards the Night master'd the Town and let in their own Men. 8. Aristippus the Lacedaemonian on the Festival Day of the Tegeatae when a multitude were gone out of the Walls to celebrate the Services of Minerva sent Beasts loaden and filled with Sacks of Straw instead of Wheat into the City with Souldiers to drive them who were under the Appearance of Merchants admitted and they opened the Gates undiscover'd to their own Men. 9. Antiochus in Cappadocia took a Beast which was come out of a Castle called Suenda to fetch Wheat and having kill'd the Drivers he sent with it his own Men in the Garb of those Drivers as if they had returned with the expected Grain The Guards being cozen'd with this Deceit suffer'd them to enter and they made way for the Souldiers of Antiochus 10. When the Thebans could by no means get into their Possession the Haven of the Sicyonii they built a very great Ship and fill'd it with armed Men covering them with some Wares that it might appear a Vessel for Trade and at the same time caused a small number of Men to appear at a very great distance from the Walls with whom some few without Arms were to meet coming out of the Ship and to pretend and make a shew of quarreling which when the Sicyonii saw they went out to cause the Dispute to cease in the mean while the Ships of the Thebans enter'd into the empty Haven and City and took them 11. Thymarchus the Aetolian having slain Charmades the Admiral of King Ptolomy took on him his Cloak and Head piece after the Macedonian manner and by this Deceit he was received into the Haven of the Samnii and master'd it CHAP. III. How to intice and win Traitors Example 1. PApyrius sirnamed Cursor at Tarentum promised to Milo who defended the City with a Party of Epirots that he would save him and his Country-men if by his means he might win the City which Reward so prevail'd upon him that he perswaded them of Tarentum to send him as an Ambassadour to the Consul with whom he fully concluded the Agreement so that at his Return he made the Citizens secure and delivered the City unguarded into the Roman General 's Power 2. Marcellus having won a certain Inhabitant of Syracuse named Sosistratus to betray the City understood by him that the Guards the next day being a Festival would be careless and negligent and the rather because Epicides was to give them Plenty of Wine and good Cheer He took therefore Advantage of this merry Opportunity and of the Negligence of the Guards took the Walls slew the Watch and open'd to the Roman Army the Gates of this City which had been famous for several noble Victories 3. When Tarquinius Superbus could not oblige the Gabii to yield to him sent to them his Son Sextus Tarquinius beaten with Rods He exclaim'd against the Cruelty of his Father and persuaded the Gabii to make use of his Hatred and Displeasure against the King They accordingly having chosen him to be their Leader betrayed them to his Father 4. Cyrus King of Persia sent on purpose his Companion and Friend Zopyrus upon whose Fidelity he could assuredly relve with his Face disfigured and maimed to the Enemies He was thought by them to be highly provok'd against Cyrus because of the Disgrace offered to him and he did not a little encourage this Persuasion by adventuring himself much as often as they went out to fight and aiming at Cyrus with his Darts at last when they had made him Governour of Babylon he deliver'd the City into the King's hands 5. Philippus being shut out of a Town of the Samii won Apollonius their Commander to betray them and persuaded him to place a Cart full of square Stones at the very Entrance of the Gate At the making of a certain Sign Philip suddenly came upon the Townsmen who were busie in shutting of their incomber'd Gate and over-power'd them 6. Hannibal when he besieged Tarentum which was kept by Livius with a Roman Guard sollicited a certain Man of the City named Eoneus to betray it and to practise this Subtilty That he should under pretence of Hunting go out in the Night because it was not likely that the Enemy would suffer him in the Day And when he was thus gone out some did supply him with wild Boars which he carried to Livius as if they had been of his own taking When he had practis'd this often and therefore was not narrowly observed on a certain Night Hannibal sent in with him Souldiers of his Army in the Garb of Huntsmen who being loaden with Venison which they had in their Hands they were admitted by the Guards and suddenly they set upon them and slew them Then the Gate was broke open and Hannibal was let in with his Army that destroyed all the Romans except such as fled to the Castle 7. Lysimachus King of the Macedonians when he besieged the City of Ephesus and that the Citizens had a certain Arch-pyrate named Mandrones come to their Assistance who did often go thither with his Ships loaden with Spoils and Prey persuaded him to be a Traitor and to take with him the stoutest men of his Army with their Hands bound behind as Captives to carry them into the City who when they were enter'd they took up Arms out of the Castle and delivered the City to the King CHAP. IV. By what means an Enemy may be driven to Necessity Example 1. WHen Fab. Maximus had wasted and spoiled all the Fields of Campania that they might not have any thing left to encourage their Resolution to maintain and defend a Siege he departed out of the Country in the sowing time that the rest of their Corn which was left the Inhabitants might employ it in Seed but at his Return he trod down all that grew up and by reducing them to Famine he obliged them to yield 2. Antigonus practised the same Policy against the Athenians 3. After that Dionysius had taken many Cities and was resolved to assault them of Rhegium because they had an extraordinary Plenty of Provisions he pretended a Peace with them and intreated them to supply his Army with Food which when they had granted they emptied for him the Granaries of the City then did he set upon it when it was in want of Victuals and took it 4. The same was done by him as is reported when he went against the Himaerei 5. When Alexander was to take Leucadia full of all manner of Food he first took the Castles that were about the Borders and suffer'd all the Inhabitants to retire and depart to Leucadia that the greater number might sooner
waste and consume their Victuals 6. When Phalaris of Agrigentum had a Design upon certain Places of Sicily which were very well fortified he pretended an Agreement with the Inhabitants and stored up with them all the Wheat that he said he had but he gave order at the same time that the Tiling of the Granaries where the Wheat was put should be so broken that it might let in the Rain The Inhabitants trusting to this Provision which they had with them were careless of their own Stores so that in the beginning of the Summer he assaulted them and obliged them by Famine to yield CHAP. V. How to persuade that a Siege will continue long Example 1. WHen Clearchus the Lacedaemonian had understood that the Thracians had carried all things belonging to Food into the Mountains and that they were also fed with the Hopes that for want of Necessaries he would be forced to depart at that time that their Ambassadours came to him he caused one of his Prisoners to be kill'd before them and to be cut in pieces with a Pretence that they were to be distributed amongst the Souldiers for their Food The Thracians therefore believing that he would do any thing to continue there who would not scruple to make use of such abominable Food surrendred themselves 2. Tiberius Gracchus when the Lusitani or Portugals declared that they had Food sufficient for ten Years and therefore were not afraid of a Siege answered Then I will take them in the eleventh Year At this Expression the Lusitani were so much afraid that though they were well provided with Victuals yet they yielded to him 3. When A. Torquatus besieged a Greek City and that the Inhabitants boasted that their Young-men were well skill'd in the use of Bow and Arrows and Darts answer'd I will sell them the dearer when I shall overcome them CHAP. VI. How to destroy the Enemies Garisons Example 1. Scipio when Hannibal was returned into Africa found that there were many Towns which in reason would be useful to him if taken defended by strong Garisons of the Enemy he therefore sent several Parties to block them up at last he went thither with his Army as if he had intended to sack the Cities afterwards he seem'd to be afraid and departed from them Hannibal imagining that his Fear was real called together all his Garisons as if he intended to engage in a Battel By that means Scipio had what he desired for by the Assistance of Massinissa and his Numidians he took those Cities when their Garisons were gone 2. P. Cornelius Scipio understanding how difficult it was to take Delminium because it was defended by a Concourse of People from all Parts assaulted first other Towns which caused every one to depart and defend his own City by that means Delminium was emptied of Souldiers and forced to yield to him 3. Pyrrhus King of Epirus fighting against the Illyrians when he earnestly desired to get the chief City of the Nation into his hands but not judging it feasible went to assault the other Towns By that means he brought it to pass that the Enemies conceiving that their chief City was sufficiently fortified went to the relief of the rest Then did he call together all his Forces and finding the chief City empty of its former Garrisons he took it by force 4. Cornelius Rufinus the Consul having besieged a little while the City of Frotona to no purpose because a resolute Party of the Lucani being enter'd into the Garrison defended it He pretended to raise the Siege and with a great Reward persuaded one of his Prisoners to go to the City as if he had escaped out of Prison to persuade them that the Romans were gone The Inhabitants imagining that this was true sent away their Auxiliary Troops and when their Garison had lest them before they were aware he easily overcame and took them 5. Mago General of the Carthaginians having beaten Cn. Piso and forced him to fly for Refuge to a certain Tower believed that some Forces would come to relieve him he therefore sent a certain Traitor to meet the Succours that were coming and to tell them that Piso was already taken by this means he discouraged them and compleated the Victory 6. Alcibiades in Sicilia desiring to take the City of Syracuse sent out of Catania where he was with his Army to Syracuse a certain cunning Fellow who being brought into their Assembly persuaded them that the Inhabitants of Catania were grievously offended with the Athenians So that if they could be assisted by them of Syracuse they would quickly over-power the Athenians with their General With this Persuasion they of Syracuse marched with all their Forces towards Catania and left their City which Alcibiades assaulted another way and finding it empty as he expected he soon master'd it Cleonymus the Athenian assaulting the Traezenii who held a Town with a Garrison commanded by Cratenus sent into the Walls some Arrows upon which it was written That he was come to deliver their Commonwealth and at the same time shewed himself kind to his Prisoners whom he sent into the City to speak ill of Craterus By this Policy he caused them to fall out amongst themselves so that with his Army he overcame them and took the City CHAP. VII Of turning aside of Rivers and the spoiling of Waters Example 1. P. Servilius having turned away a River which supplied the Enemy with Water forced the Town of Isaura to yield for Thirst 2. C. Caesar amongst the Gauls reduced the City of the Gadurci to the want of Water though it was encompassed about with a River and had many fresh Springs in it for he dried up the Fountains by mining and drove them away from the River by his Archers 3. L. Metellus in the hither Spain turn'd down a River from the higher Ground upon the Enemies Camp which was seated in the lower and when they were disturbed with the sudden overflowing of the Water he cut them in pieces with Parties which he had appointed for that purpose 4. Alexander at Babylon which was divided into two parts by the River Euphrates dig'd a Ditch and raised a Bank that the Enemies might imagine that they were made for his own use but suddenly he turn'd the River out of his Course and through the old Channel which then being dried up yielded an Entrance he march'd into the City 5. Semiramis is said to have practis'd the same thing by turning aside the River Euphrates at the same place 6. Clisthenes the Sycionian broke an Aquaduct or Conduit which conveyed Water into the Town of Crisa and when the Inhabitants were vexed with Thirst he caused the Water to run again in the same Conduit but poson'd it with Hellebore or the Juyce of Bears-foot of which they who made use fell into a Flux and Madness so that by that means he took them and their Town CHAP. VIII How to terrifie the Besieged Example 1. WHen Philippus could by no
Lacetani whom he besieged kept back the rest of his Army and sent of the Suessani some of his Auxiliary Troops who were the greatest Cowards to assault the Walls the Besieged made a Sally put them to Flight and furiously pursued them but in the mean while he took the City with those Troops which he had hid 2. L. Scipio in Sardinia left the Assault of a certain City in haste which he had begun and in his Retreat shewed the appearance of a Flight When the Townsmen sallied out to pursue them unadvisedly he took the Town with those Souldiers whom he had hid near at hand 3. Hannibal when he besieged the City of Himera suffered his own Camp willingly to be taken and commanded the Carthaginians to depart as if the Enemy had prevailed which Policy deceived the Inhabitants and caused them for joy to leave their Town and run to the Enemies Camp then did Hannibal take the Town empty by those whom he had placed for that purpose in Ambush 4. The same General to draw out them of Saguntum marched to the Walls with a thin Battalion and at the first sally of the Besieged made as if he had fled but he caused his whole Army to run in between the Enemy and the City and having closed them in cut them all in pieces 5. Himilco the Carthaginian General placed near the Town of Agrigentum part of his Army in Ambush and commanded them that when the Townsmen were come out they should set some moist Wood on fire afterwards he with the rest marched to draw out the Enemy into the Fields but at their first approach he retreated and seemed to fly away to draw by degrees the Townsmen far from their Walls whilst they who lay in Ambush near the City set fire to the Wood. When they of Agrigentum that were come out beheld the great Smoke thought their City had been burning and when in a great fear they returned to defend it they met with the Party that lay in Ambush near their Walls so that before and behind they were shut in and slain by them that followed them 6. Viriatus having secretly placed some Souldiers he sent a small Party to drive away the Cattel of the Segobrigenses in Spain and when they came in great numbers to recover them and put the drivers to Flight as they pretended they were brought into an Ambuscado and destroyed 7. The Cavalry of the Scordisci when Lucullus was General of two Parties of Heraclea made as if they had been driving of Cattel and obliged him to sally out but they immediately fled and brought Lucullus into an Ambush where he was slain with eight hundred Souldiers 8. Chares Captain of the Athenians being to assault a Town near the Sea side left his Fleet behind a certain Cape and ordered some of the nimblest of his Ships to sail along by the Enemies Guards which when they saw they made out of the Harbor with all their Ships that were to defend it to pursue after them In the mean while Chares enter'd into the Haven with the rest of his Fleet without resistance and took the City 9. Barca Captain of the Carthaginians when the Romans besieged Lilybeum in Sicily by Sea and Land ordered a part of his Navy to appear at a distance in sight which caused the Romans to sail speedily to them In the mean while he took the Haven of Lilybeum with the rest of his Fleet which he kept out of sight CHAP. XI Of the pretence of departing away from a Siege Example 1. PHormion the Athenian General when he had spoiled the Fields of them of Chalcis and that their Ambassadours came to him to complain of it answer'd them mildly and the same Night that he was to send them away pretended that he had received from his Citizens such Letters as required him to return home so having led the Ambassadors a little way with him he sent them back who when they returned declared to their Citizens that all was safe and that Phormion was departed They trusting upon his Humanity and the return of his Army into their own Country neglected the guarding of their Town then Phormion suddenly march'd back again and so overpower'd them that they were not able to make any resistance 2. Agesilaus General of the Lacedemonians besieged the Phocenses and understood that their auxiliary Troops were already weary of the War he therefore departed from them a while as if he had minded other Business and gave them liberty to be gone Some time after he returned with his Army and overcame the Phocenses destitute of their Guards 3. Alcibiades laid an Ambuscado for them of Byzantium who kept themselves within their Walls and pretending to depart return'd suddenly upon them and overpower'd them 4. Viriatus when he had made three days march away from them of Segobriga return'd back in one day and overcame them when they were secure and busie about a solemn Sacrifice 5. Epaminondas perceiving that the Lacedemonians were come to the assistance of his Enemies at Mantinea imagin'd that he could take the City of Lacedemon if he did march thither privately He commanded therefore many Fires to be made in the Night that he might conceal his departure with an appearance of his continuance there but being betrayed by a Run-away and pursued by the Lacedemonian Army he left the Road that led to Sparta and turn'd his Resolution and Power against them of Mantinea for having made as many Fires as before as if he had continued in that place he deceiv'd the Lacedemonians and return'd forty miles to the City of Mantinea which he found naked of defence and took it CHAP. XII How to stir up the Vigilancy of a Party Example 1. Alcibiades when his City of Athens was besieged by the Lacedaemonians fearing the negligence and carelesness of the Guards told such as stood Sentry that they should take notice of the Light that he would shew out of the Castle and when they saw it that they likewise should lift up Lights and that he that did neglect to perform this should be punished Whilst they waited for a Sign from their General they all marched carefully and by that means he avoided the danger of the Night that he feared most 2. Iphicrates the Athenian General commanding in chief the Garrison of Corinth walked the Rounds a little before the coming of the Enemy and finding a Souldier who was to stand Sentinel asleep he run him through with his Spear which deed when some blamed as savouring of too much Cruelty he told told them as I found him so I left him 3. Epaminondas the Theban is reported to have done the same CHAP. XIII Of sending out and receiving Messages Example 1. WHen the Romans were besieged in the Capitol they sent Pontius Cominus to Camillus who was in his Banishment to desire his assistance and that he might pass by and escape from the Guards of the Gauls was let down the Rocks of Tarpeia he
swimm'd over the River Tiber and came safe to the City Vejos and having deliver'd his Message he returned by the same way to the Besieged 2. When they of Campania were besieged by the Romans who watched and guarded all the Passages they sent one whom they persuaded to run away to the Romans and hid a Letter under his Belt which when he found an opportunity he carried to the Carthaginian Army 3. Some have sown Letters in the Bodies of Beasts taken in hunting and other Creatures which Letters were written in Parchment or thin Skins 4. Some have driven Beasts on the contrary side whilst they have been passing the Enemies Guards 5. Others have written their Letters in the inside of a Sheath 6. L. Lucullus when the Cyziceni were besieged by Mithridates that he might make his arrival known to them tho the Enemies kept the entrances of the City with strong Guards He commanded one of his Souldiers a little skill'd in swimming and in the Art of Navigation to lean upon two Skins or Bladders filled with Wind which had Letters stitched in the inside having in the lower part two strait Sticks fasten'd to them to keep the Bladders at a distance and in this manner to go over a Streight of seven miles at that place where but one narrow and small Bridge joyned an Island to the main Land Which was so dexterously perform'd by this common Souldier who steer'd his course with his Legs hanging in the Water that such as saw him at a distance and that were upon the Guard thought him to be a Sea-Monster 7. Hircius the Consul sent often Letters to Decius Brutus who was besieged by Antonius at Mutina written in Lead and fasten'd to the Arms of Souldiers who swam over the River Scultenna 8. The same Hircius made use of Pidgeons to convey Letters He shut them up in the dark and suffer'd them to be very hungry then did he fasten Letters to their Necks bound them with a big Hair and from the nearest place to the Walls of the City he let them fly They being desirous of Light and Food mounted on high to go to the loftiest Houses where Brutus took them and by that means he was made acquainted with all Passages for after that he put Food for the Birds in certain places and so made the Pidgeons to sly thither CHAP. XIV How to put in Succours into a besieged Place and supply it with necessary Food Example 1. IN the Civil War when Ategua a City in Spain that held for Pompey was besieged Maurus or Martius the Viceroy made as if he had bin a Trumpeter of one of Caesar's Collonels appointed to visit the Guards some he rous'd up with his Trumpet others he shun'd and courageously went through the middle of Caesar's Army and led into the Town a Garison of Pompey 2. When Hannibal besieged Casilinum a City of Campania in Italy the Romans sent down the stream of the River Vulturnus Hogs-Heads full of Meal to relieve the besieged which when Hannibal did stop with a long Chain over the River they scatter'd and flung Nuts into the Water which the Current carried to the Town and by that means they supplied the wants of their Fellows 3. Hirtius the Consul when they of Mutina were besieged by Antonius sent to them some Salt which they wanted down the River Saniturnus put up in Pipes 4. The same Consul sent down the Stream some Cattel which relieved the besieged CHAP. XV. How to make such things as are most wanting seem to the Enemy to abound Example 1. THE Romans when they were besieged in the Capitol by the Gauls and were in the greatest want of Bread were wont to fling some to the Enemy By that means they made them believe that they had plenty of Provisions so that they patiently endur'd the Siege till Camillus was come to relieve them 2. The Athenians besieged by the Lacedemonians are said to have done the like 3. They who were besieged at Casilinum by Hannibal were thought to have bin reduc'd to a great Famin because that between his Camp and the City he had spoil'd all the Herbs that could serve for Food by plowing up the Ground but they flung Seed into the Earth prepar'd and turn'd up By that means they seem'd to have enough to keep them alive untill the next Harvest 4. They who remained alive after the Defeat of Varras and his Army because the Enemy believed that they wanted Bread caused the Prisoners to be led round about their Granary all Night then having cut off their Hands they sent them away who when they came to their own Men that besieged the Romans they assured them that there was no hopes of a speedy Surrender by the famishing of the Romans because they had such a great quantity of Food yet remaining 5. The Thracians besieged in a steep and high Mountain unto which the Enemies could not ascend gathered from every Man a small quantity of Corn and Cheese with which they fed their Cattel which they drove and sent down to the Enemies Guards when they had killed them and found some signs of Wheat in their Guts they imagin'd that they had yet a great quantity of Corn remaining seeing that they fed their Cattel with it They departed therefore from the Siege 6. Thrasybulus Captain of the Milesii when his Souldiers were wearied with a long Siege by Aliattes who expected that they would be forced to a Surrender by Famin when the Ambassadours of Aliattes were comming he caused all the Corn of the City to be brought into the Market and about that time appointed Feasting to be in several places of the City and the Tables to be covered with Meats by that means he persuaded the Enemy that he had yet plenty of Food to help them to bear a longer Siege CHAP. XVI By what means one may prevent Traitors and Run-aways Example 1. L. Marcellus understanding the Design of Batteus of Nola who endeavoured to persuade his Country-men to fall away to Hannibal whom he favoured because by him he had been cured of his Wounds received at the Battel of Cannae and had been sent home from his Captivity and because he was afraid by his Punishment to stir up them of Nola to Revenge and dared not to kill him he sent for him and told him that he was a most stout Souldier which he understood not before and that he desired that he would continue and abide with him To his Words he added an Honour for he bestowed upon him an Horse By this gracious proceeding he obliged not only him to be true to him but also his Country-men who were governed by him 2. Hamilcar General of the Carthaginians when several of their Gallic Auxiliaries did often run away to the Romans and that they were wont to be received as their Friends he persuaded some that were most faithful to him to pretend also to fly to them who killed some that were sent out to receive
and rescue a Party of the Roman Army which Policy did not only help Hamilcar and caused him to succeed in his present Design but for the future it made all true Run-aways to be suspected by the Romans as false 3. Hanno General of the Carthaginians in Sicily understanding that four thousand of the Mercenary Gauls had agreed to run away to the Romans because they wanted the Pay of some few Months and because he was afraid to punish them for fear of a Sedition he promised that he would reward liberally the injury of a Delay Therefore the Gauls having returned him thanks he delayed the performance of his Promise for a while till he could send a most faithful Servant to Otacilius the Consul to run away to him for other Reasons who told him that the next Night four thousand Gauls who were to be sent out to Plunder might easily be surprised Otacilius did not give credit suddenly to the Run-away neither did he think this News was to be neglected he therefore placed a choice Company of his Men in Ambush By them the Gauls being received accomplished Hanno's two Designs in destroying the Romans and themselves for they were all cut off 4. Hannibal was revenged of the Deserters of his Army in the same manner for knowing that some of his Men would run away the next Night and that he had in his Camp Intelligencers and Spies of the Enemy He declared publickly that the Souldiers which were sent by him to understand the Designs of the Enemy ought to be named most cunning Souldiers what the Spies had heard from him they delivered to their own Party which caused the Romans to take the Run-aways to cut off their Hands and send them back to Hannibal's Army 5. Diodorus commanding the Garrison of Amphipolis with a Party had a jealousie of two thousand Thracians who had a mind to Plunder the City he pretended therefore that some few of the Enemies Ships were come near a neighbouring Shore and that it was possible to take them the hopes of this Advantage so incouraged the Thracians that they march'd out of the City then did he cause the Gates to be shut and would entertain them no longer CHAP XVII Of Sallies Example 1. THE Romans who were in Garrison at Palermo when Hasdrubal came to besiege that City caused on purpose very few to appear on the Walls to defend them the smalness of their number was so contemn'd by the Enemy that Hasdrubul assaulted the Walls where he was slain in a Sally 2. Aemilius Paulus when all the Ligurians made an attempt unexpectedly upon his Camp he seem'd for fear to keep in his Souldiers till the Enemy had sufficiently wearied themselves then did he sally out of his four Gates and overthrew and took them Prisoners 3. When Velius a Roman Captain commanded the Castle of Tarentum he sent Messengers to Hasdrubal that he would suffer him to depart in safety By this Pretence he made the Enemy so secure that when he sallied out he defeated them 4. Cn. Pompeius did not only deliver his Men besieged in the City of Dyrrachium but after a Sally which he made in a very convenient Time and Place he surrounded Caesar who furiously broke out of a Castle which was furnished with a double Fortification and encompassed him in round so that between the besieged and Pompey's Army that was without he was in the middle in no small danger and received a considerable loss of Men. 5. Flavius Fimbria fighting in Asia against the Son of Mithridates near the Town of Rhyndacus drew a Trench half way on both sides of his Camp and a Ditch before keeping his Souldiers quiet on the Rampires until the Enemies Horse were enter'd into the streightest place of his Works then did he sally out and cut off six thousand of them 6. C. Caesar amongst the Gauls when the Forces under Titurius Sabinus and Cotta his Lieutenants were defeated by Ambiorix and that Q. Cicero who was likewise besieged sent him this sad News made haste to him with two Legions but when the Enemy turn'd to meet him he seem'd to be afraid and kept his Souldiers within his Camp which he had purposely made streighter than ordinary the Gauls as if they had been certain of the Victory and were come to plunder the Roman Camp began to fill up the Trenches and to pull down the Palisadoes then did Caesar send out his Forces on a sudden and cut the Gallic Souldiers in pieces 7. Titurius Sabinus when a vast Army of the Gauls came against him kept in his Souldiers within his Fortifications and made them believe that he was afraid And that he might strengthen that belief he sent out a Run-away to tell them that the Roman Army was in despair and resolved to fly The Enemy being encouraged with the hopes of Victory loaded themselves with Faggots and Bones to fill up the Trenches and with full speed ran up to the Romans Camp which was scituate on a Hill from whence when Titurius had sent out his whole Army he overthrew the Gauls and took many of them Prisoners 8. The Inhabitants of Asculum when Pompey came to besiege the Town caused a few old and sick Folk to shew themselves from the Walls which made the Roman Army to be more secure and careless so that when the Towns-men sallied out they put them to flight 9. They of Numantia when they were besieged drew up none of their Forces before the Walls but kept themselves within so close and quiet that Popilius Lenas had the Confidence to scale the Walls And then suspecting a Design and an Ambush for at that instant he met with no resistance he sounded a retreat Then did the Inhabitants sally out and assaulted the Romans as they were coming down and drawing back CHAP. XVIII Of the Constancy of the besieged Example 1. THE Romans when Hannibals Camp was before their Walls to express their Confidence sent out by another Gate a supply and a recruit to their Army which was then in Spain 2. The same Romans when the Proprietor of the Field where Hannibal had pitch'd his Camp was by chance dead sold it at a higher rate than it was bought by him before the Wars 3. The same Romans being besieg'd by Hannibal at the same time that their Army besieged Capua resolved and decreed that their Army should not come away from thence untill they had taken that City THE FOURTH BOOK Of the Stratagems of WAR OF Sextus Julius Frontinus once a ROMAN Consul The Introduction IN the three former Books according to my promise as I suppose I have placed in order not without a great deal of Care and Diligence the Stratagems of War which I have gathered from the perusal of many Histories In this Book I shall now set down those things which could not fitly nor properly be placed under the former Heads and which may be rather called the Examples of Generals and Captains of War than of Stratagems
the Romans Armies would have the advantage but Caelius with all his Family would perish He therefore destroyed the Bird and it happened accordingly the Roman Army got the Victory but Caelius with Fourteen of his Family and Name were killed in that same Fight Some report that it was not Caelius but Laelius and that the Family of the Laely not the Caely were destroyed 15. P. Decius first the Father next the Son being Magistrates offer'd themselves to dye for the Commonwealth for putting spurs to their Horses they charged the Enemy and obtained for their Country the Victory 16. When P. Crussus was engaged in Asia in the War against Aristonicus between Aelia and Myrina he fell in amongst the Enemies Forces and was taken Prisoner which caused him to exclaim against the Roman Consul because of his Captivity but with the Rod that he had in his hand to strike his Horse he put out the Eye of a Thracian who to revenge himself run him through and deliver'd him from his Captivity as he desired 17. M. Cato the Censors Son falling down in a Battle from his Horse when he look'd about and perceived that his Sword was fallen out of the Scabbard he feared the reproach of his own Men he therefore returned to the Enemy and recovering his Sword after he had received some Wounds he returned back to his own Party 18. When the Petilini were besieged by the Carthaginians they cast out of their City their Aged Parents and Children because of the Famine And they endured a long Siege of eleven Months by feeding upon the leaves of Trees upon wet Leather dryed at the Fire and upon all manner of Beasts 19. The Spaniards called Arabricenses suffered the same Misery and would not deliver up the Town to Herculeius 20. When the Cassilini were besieged by Hannibal they suffered so much want that a Mouse was sold for a hundred Pence as it is left upon Record and that he that sold it dyed for want but the Buyer preserved his Life They continued nevertheless in their Fidelity to the Romans 21. When Mithridates besieged Cyzicum he brought forth the Captives of that Town and shewed them to the Besieged imagining that out of Pity and Compassion of their own Men the Towns-People would yield themselves But they exhorting the Prisoners to suffer Death manfully kept their Faith to the Romans 22. The Segobrigenses when their Wives and Children were kill'd by Viriatus chose rather to behold the Torments of their Dear Relations than to fall away from the Romans 23. They of Numantia rather than to yield shut themselves up in their Houses and were famish'd to Death CHAP. VI. Of Affection and Moderation Example 1. WHen Q. Fabius exhorted his Son that he should chuse a convenient place with the loss of a few Men. He answered wilt thou be of the number of those few 2. Xenophon being on Horseback commanded a Party of Foot Soldiers to take the Top of a Hill but when one of them murmur'd That he could easily fitting on his Horse order such a difficult March He alighted and made the Soldier to mount in his stead and he running on foot got up to the Top of the Hill The Soldier being ashamed of what was done when all his Fellows laughed at him alighted They all together could hardly perswade Xenophon to take his Horse again and to preserve himself for the Offices and Duties belonging to a General 3. Alexander leading his Army in the Winter when he was sitting by a Fire to take a view of his Forces as they march'd by him saw a certain Soldier almost dead with Cold he called him and made him sit in his place telling him That if he had been born among the Persians to sit in the Kings Seat would be a Crime worthy of Death but to a Macedonian born it was allowed 4. D. Augustus Vespasianus understanding that a certain young man of Honest Parentage unable for the War because of his great Poverty was brought down to the lowest ranks of Soldiers he appointed him a Pension and freed him from the Militia CHAP. VII Of various Counsels Resolutions and Advises Example 1. Caesar used to say that his Policy was to treat an Enemy as many Physitians do the Distempers of Bodies to overcome them rather by Famine than by Sword 2. Domitius Corbulo was wont to say that an Enemy was to be overcome with a Mattock that is by Works and Trenches 3. L. Paulus was of a Judgment that a General should be Old in Manners that is should follow the most moderate Counsels 4. It is reported of Scipio Africanus that when one told him that he was no Fighter answered My Mother made me a General but no common Soldier 5. C. Marias when a German challeng'd him out to fight him told him That if he were desirous of Death he might go and hang himself And when one shewed him a Gladiator of a low Staure but very old he bid him fight him and if he did overcome he would encounter with him who was the Conqueror 6. Q. Sertorius understanding by experience that he was not able to deal with all the Roman Army together in a Body that he might better be able to teach his Barbarian People who desired earnestly to fight them he brought before them Two Horses the one strong and lusty the other very weak and commanded two Young Men answerable to them to take them in hand to the strong man he appointed the weaker Horse bidding him to pull of the whole Tail but the weaker Young Man he commanded to pull off the Tayl of the strong Horse one Hair after another The Weak Person succeeded in his Enterprize and pulled off all the Tail by degrees but the strong Young Man strived in vain to pull off the Tail of the weak Horse By this example said Sertorius my Soldiers I have discovered to you the Nature of the Roman Army they are not to be overcome if you encounter them all together but you may destroy them by degrees if you take them by Parties 7. Valerius Levinus the Consul having taken within his Camp a Spy of the Enemy out of a confidence he had in his Soldiers commanded him to be led about the Quarters and to terrifie the Enemy he assured him that when they pleased their Spies should have liberty to take a View of his Forces 8. Caelius Principilaris who was chose Captain in Germany over such as remained alive and were besieged after the Defeat of Varrus fearing lest the Enemy should fire the Heaps of Wood joyning to the Trenches and by that means set their Camp in a Flame pretended the want of Wood he sent therefore many to steal Wood every where which when the Germans saw they carryed away all the Heaps of great Wood. 9. Cn. Scipio in the Maritime War cast Pitchers full of Tar and Grease into the Enemies Ships that by their weight they might do mischief and by breaking and shedding what was therein
long placing them amongst the Horse commanded them to march as far as the Walls of the City In this order they accompanyed the Roman Horse when they encountred with the Enemy and did a great deal of Mischief to them chiefly to their Horses that were thereby soon disordered and obliged to leave the Victory to the Romans 30. P. Scipio in Lydia seeing the Army of Antiochus that had suffered much by the Rains that fell coutinually during a Night and a Day and that not only his Men fainted but also some of their Horses became unserviceable and their Bow-strings being wet were become useless He encouraged his Brother the next day to give them Battle though it was a Religious day which advice being followed he obtained the Victory 31. When Cato was plundering of Spain the Embassadours of the Hergeti who were confederates with the Romans came to him to beseech him to send them Help He being loath by denying assistance to alienate the minds of his Friends or by dividing his Army to weaken his Forces commanded a third part of his Army to provide themselves with Victuals and to get a Shipboard but gave them privately orders to return back again and pretend that the Wind was contrary The report of Succours that were a coming encouraged the Hergeti to defend themselves and disappointed the designs of their Enemies 32. C. Caesar knowing that Pompey had in his Army a great number of Roman Knights who by their skill in Arms would overcome his Soldiers commanded his men to aim with their Swords at their Faces and Eyes by this Policy he obliged them to turn away their Eyes and to give back 33. When the Vaccei were fighting against Sempronius Gracchus and sorely handled by his Army they enclosed themselves round with their Waggons full of their stoutest Men in Womens Apparel which made Sempronius more bold to assault them thinking them to be but Women but they charged his men so stoutly that they put them to flight 34. Eumenes Cardianus one of the Successors of Alexander being shut up in a Castle so close that he could not exercise his Horse caused their Legs to be tyed up every day at certain Hours that standing upon their Hinder Legs and their fore Feet lifted up on high their desire and endeavour to stand on their fore Feet made them yield a Sweat all about their joynts 35. M. Cato when the Country People promised him Guides to lead him and convey him if he would give them a considerable sum of Mony he freely offered it to them for he hoped when he should obtain the Victory to pay them with the Plunder of their Enemies or if it happened that they were killed he expected then to be free from his promise 36. Q. Maximus when Statilius a Noble Knight of excellent Abilities was resolved to run away to the Enemy sent for him and desired to be excused because through the envy of his fellow Soldiers he was not well acquainted with his rare Virtues He therefore gave him a Horse and Mony and sent him away who come to him afraid to be punish'd joyful of his Rewards and made him doubtless for the future a Faithful as well as a Stout Soldier 37 When King Philip understood that a certain good Warriour named Pythia hated him because having three Daughters to maintain he was Poor and could not well provide for them and the King gave him no assistance beside some warned him to take heed of him he answered What if I should have some part of my Body diseased would I not rather heal it than cut it off He sent therefore for this Pythia secretly enquired of his Estate and Condition and furnished him with Money By this means he obliged him to be both a better and more Faithful Friend and Servant than before 38. T. Runitius Crispinus after the unhappy encounter with Hannibal in which he lost his Partner Marcellus and understanding that the Conqueror had got the Seal of the slain Consul sent Letters all over Italy not to give credit to the Letters that were sealed with the Signet of Marcellus By this seasonable advice he prevented the cunning of Hannibal who endeavour'd in vain to get into his hands the Town of Salapia and other places of Italy 39. After the defeat of Cannae the Roman Courages were so abated that some Authentick Authors have left upon Record that a great many that remain'd alive put it in deliberation whether they should forsake Italy Then did P. Scipio a very young man offer Violence to him who propos'd such a thing in an Assembly and publickly declar'd that he would kill him with his own hand unless he did swear that he had a resolution never to forsake the Commonwealth when this man had first bound himself by an Oath he drew his Sword and threatned Death to a near Kinsman unless he did also take the same Oath He forced him for fear and all the rest were led by the same example to swear the same thing 40. When the Camp of the Volosci were near to a Wood and a place full of Briars and Thorns Camillus carryed all that would take fire as far as their Works and set them in a Flame and drove them from their Camp 41. P. Crassus in the War of the Confederates in the same manner was surprised and undone with almost all his Forces 42. When Q. Metellus was to remove his Camp in Spain and that the Soldiers who were to march kept themselves still in their Camp Hennocrates hath related that they were ordered to abide till the next day and by that short rest became more fit for the Fight than his People so that by this means Metellus made an end of the War 43. Miltiades when he had put to flight a vast number of Persians at the Battle of Marathon obliged the Athenians who were willing to continue there some time to rejoice at the Victory to depart and speedily relieve their City against which the Persian Fleet was sailing He prevented them and filled the Walls with Armed men When the Persians came they imagined the Athenians to be very numerous and that they had yet an Army at Marathon as well as at Athens therefore they suddenly turned about and sailed back into Asia 44. Pisistratus the Athenian when he had taken the Fleet of Megara brought by Night Eleusis to catch the Athenian Dames who used to do Honour to the Goddess Ceres and made a great slaughter of the Enemy took their Ships and filled them with Athenian Soldiers placing upon the Decks some of the Women in the Garb of Prisoners with which appearance they of Megara being deceived and imagining that their Men were returned with success came thronging out of the City to meet and welcome them Then did Pisistratus fall upon them unarmed and again made a great destruction of them 45. Cinion the Athenian General when he had overcome the Persian Fleet at the Isle of Cyprus caused his Men to
and Auxiliaries to the assistance of the Roman Army against the Persians and that they should obtain a famous Victory Whether this report was really so or whether it was invented on purpose as it hath bin sometimes practiced to encourage the Soldiers to difficult encounters it had that good effect that none doubted afterwards of success and the Roman Soldiers were more resolute and brave in all their Fights with the Enemy Insomuch that at the Siege of Nisibis a panick fear so seized the Saracens who were came to relieve that City and assist the Persian King that only the Alarm and Dread of the Romans approach caused them in their Armour to cast themselves into the River Euphrates and venture over but the swiftness of the Stream swallowed an hundred thousand who for fear of the Roman Sword were drowned in the Water In this Persian War Ardaburius by Policy alone overcame seven great Commanders of the Enemies But notwithstanding these glorious Victories Theodosius sent one of his Courtiers named Helion to conclude a Peace with the Persian Monarch but this motion was at first rejected by the Soldiers of the Regiment called by the Persians Immortal consisting of 10000 variant Men who desired their Prince to give them leave to beat up the Roman Quarters and try whether they might surprise them secure and negligent But such was the vigilancy and diligence of the Commanders and courage of the Soldiers that they encompassed these stout Persians and cut them all in pieces though they had divided themselves into two parties to assault the Roman Camp with more advantage CHAP. II. Of Asper a Son of Ardaburius AFter the Persian War and the death of Honorius the Emperor the Unkle of Theodosius the younger Socrat. Schol lib. 7. cap 23. a certain Rebel named John attempted to invade the Imperial Crown and Dignity with a considerable number of Soldiers whom he had Listed for that purpose Ardaturius was sent against him but it happened that as he was Sailing from Salonae to Aquileia through cross winds he fell into the Enemies power When Aspar his Son and the Roman Army understood it they made more speed than ordinary to invest Ravenna whither they had carried their General prisoner following the conduct and direction of an Angel of God who being sent in the appearance and garb of a Shepherd as was then reported to assist the just cause of the Religious Emperour Theodosius against the Rebels Such inventions have often bin practiced by the politick Wits of all Ages and such reports have been often spread and encouraged to oblige the ignorant vulgar to more manhood and confidence However whether that report were real or feigned Aspar suddenly assaulted and enter'd Ravenna through a Lake joyning to the Walls which because never any had Forded it before was less Guarded Whether then by the power of God the Waters were abated to favour the passage of the Soldiers or whether the boldness and resolution of the Assailants attempting to go through a place that was believed to be unpassable gave an occasion to such a report is uncertain Though it hath bin always the wisdom and practice of great Generals to endeavour things that seem'd unfeazable and to assault an Enemy on that side where they were most secure and where they most relied upon a Natural Fortification CHAP. III. Of Belissarius the General of the Roman Army in the days of Justinian the Emperor Anno Domini 528. SEveral Generals were in the days of Martianus Leo. 1. Zeno Anastasius and Justinus the former Emperours but none much renowned for their Policies and Exploits Belissarius was one of the most remarkable in all History for his brave actions and for the instability and unconstancy of humane Glory His excellent conduct together with his wonderful success in War raised him to the highest Apex of Honour but envy malice and ingratitude cast him down to the lowest step of misery to beg his Bread at the Gates of Sancta Sophia the chief Church of Constantinople with this saying Give a half penny to Belissarius For the Emperour Justinianus caused his eyes to be put out and all his Estate to be taken from him after that he had by his Wisdom and Valour saved and enlarged the Roman Empire and deliver'd the Emperors person from a strong Conspiracy headed by one Florianus a Nobleman and assisted by Hippatius Pompeius and Probus Kinsmen of the former Emperour Anastasius This act of Valour restored him to the Emperors favour for he had bin in some disgrace through the Envy of the Courtiers He was of no extraordinary Birth but raised himself through his great skill in Martial Affairs At that time Gilimerus Raigned over the Vandals in Africa where that Northern People had erected a flourishing Empire Justinian proclaimed War against him and sent Belissarius as General with a numerous Fleet and well furnished Army After several Encounters he met the Vandals in a pitcht Battel overthrew and destroyed several Thousands pursued their King from one Kingdom to another till at last he besieged him and took him by Famine in the City of Carthage And with him subdued all that part of Africa which had bin formerly under the Roman Power and put a period to the Arian Heresie which had infected all that part of the World All this was brought to pass not so much through the Valour and Strength of the Army as by the Policy and good Government of the noble General who was excellent in laying of Ambushes and in besetting an Enemy in an open Field whereby he was reduced to the necessity either of yielding or of flying away This Conquest of Africa by Belisarius happened about 95 years after the first entrance of the Vandals into Africa according to the prediction of St. Cyprian who had so long before comforted his Auditors with the assurance of a total extirpation of the cruel Vandals together with their damnable Heresie After this Victory Belisarius leads back his Army to Constantinople with Gelimerus bound in Chains of Silver Belisarius was sent next into Sicily to revenge the murder of Queen Amalasventa He soon conquered that Island and passed over into Italy against the Goths commanded by their King Theodatus who was slain at Ravenna by his own People In his stead they made Vitiges King Against him Belisarius marched took Naples and the City of Rome which he defended against all the Gothick Power assisted by the Francs and slew in one Sally under the Walls of Rome in one day 30000 Goths After the siege was raised which lasted one whole year Belisarius relieved Ariminum and forced the Goths to desire the help of the Burgundians and took their King Vitiges in the City of Ravenna and carried him to Constantinople From thence he went against Cosroes King of Persia and drove him out of the Roman Territories But Totila the new King of the Goths having made great progress in Italy against the Emperor in the absence of
And to prevent such sudden casualties which cannot be all fore-seen by the most experienced and wise Commanders or by the most excellent Soldiers though never so well acquainted with the Stratagems of War no precaution can be prescribed but that of a steady and well resolved mind not to be daunted at the fight of the greatest dangers but in such a case as it becomes a Commander to animate and encourage his Men and to have a Remedy at hand for all misfortunes and a plaister for every wound so it becomes a Soldier to stand firm and act the part of a valorous and brave Courage not to be terrified with Bug-bears and though the danger should be real and great the Resolutions of a good Soldier must master all such sudden and surprizing difficulties and wade through a Sea of Bloud to the Honour of the Victory which he ought to value at an equal rate with his own Life when he hath a good cause CHAP. XVI How a great Army of Danes were defeated by the means of one Hay a Country Man and his two Sons A.D. 964. THe Danes having invaded Scotland overpowred a Scotch Army in a notable Battel so that the Scots were all put to flight At that time one Hay a Ploughman coming out of his Field with his two Sons meets with the Rout. They being all his Countrymen he bids them stand for shame and return to the Fight and so prevailed upon them by his words and example that they turned back and encountred with the Danes again so fiercely that they were all put to flight and utterly destroyed For this good Service the Countryman was rewarded with as much Land as a Falcon could fly over at one flight which is 6 Miles in length From this Hay is descended the Noble Family of the Hays whose chief is the Earl of Arroll CHAP. XVII How Tangrolipix the Turkish General was made Sultan of Persia TAngrolipix with a party of Turks was requested by Mahomet a Saracen Sultan of Persia to assist him against Pisasiris Caliphon of Babylon He had the good fortune to bear Caliph's Army of Arabians After the Victory he desired liberty to return home but Mahomet denyed it him which so discontented the Turks that they withdrew themselves into the Desarts and Forrests of Caravonitis from whence they made Incursions upon all the Borders for their Livelyhood and Plunder This obliged the Sultan of Persia Mahomet to send against them a powerful Army which by the skill of Tangrolipiae was defeated Mahomet inraged at this loss puts out the eyes of Ten of the chief Commanders and threatens to apparel all the rest of the flying Army in the Garb of Women and to carry them about his Kingdom as Cowards These threatnings could not be disgested by those Military Souls whose mishap not want of Courage had lost the day against the Turks They therefore either out of Fear or Revenge went all away to Tangrolipix to encrease the number of his Army When Tangrolipix was thus strengthned by this unexpected Recruit he kept not himself any longer in the Desarts and Mountains but marched with a compleat Army to meet with Mahomet in the Fields of Ispahan where after a bloudy Fight Mahomet fell from his Horse and broke his neck At his death both Armies sounded a Retreat and their Chieftains came to a Parley where it was agreed that Tangrolipix should be saluted Sultan of Persia This was the first Kingdom of the Turks in Asia mentioned in History after the leaving of their own Country Tangrolipix conquered Babylon and warred against the Arabians and the Emperour of Constantinople with various success and at last he conquered many rich Provinces of the Empire partly through the covetousness of Constantine Ducas then Emperour who taxed all the Borderers and suffered them to withdraw their Garrison from the strongest places of the Country whereas before they were free for the services they rendred to the Roman Empire and partly for want of encouraging and entertaining military men By these examples a Prince may learn that it is no point of policy to provoke men of courage by too great severity nor to suffer his Armies and Captains to want that due regard which they expect and deserve when his Dominions are surrounded and endanger'd by powerful and watchful Enemies By the contempt and neglect of Arms the Greeks have lost their Honour and Empire and are forced to submit to the Turks Tyranny and Oppression and are now become the basest of Men in War CHAP. XVIII How the first Christians that adventur'd over into Asia against the Turks were decoyed and cut off by their Ambushes THe zeal of our Fore-Fathers stirred them up to the Conquest of the Holy Land Several great Princes had crossed themselves with a resolution to undertake that perilous Voyage Amongst the rest Gualter de Saint Sanneur a Noble Man and Peter the Hermit entred Asia before the rest with forty thousand Men who drove the Turks before them at first but they to deceive the Christians made a shew as if they were wonderfully afraid therefore they forsook the Towns At Exorgum the Christian Army encamped from whence about 3000 were sent to fetch in Provisions some few Herds of Cattle appeared at a distance which the flying Turks suffered them to take quietly but the next time that they sallyed out to forage they cut them all in pieces And when ten thousand more were sent to revenge this loss they were almost all destroyed by the Turks Ambuscado's for both they and the Moors of Africa are very subtile in laying them in convenient places and they seldom fight but with such advantages and surprises Sultan Solyman the Son of Cutla-Moses was the chief Commander of the Turks in those parts a warlike Prince who having got together an Army of 60000 men engaged in a sharp Fight against the Christians after the taking of the City of Nice and had almost destroyed their Army by the sudden assaulting of their Camp behind them whilst the Christian Army was fighting in the Field It hath always been observed that there is nothing hath been more destructive to an Army and given the Enemy more advantage than when Soldiers become insolent proud of their Success and begin to despise their Enemies and their Endeavours for it is an easie matter to surprize such in a Snare and make them to repent too late of their folly Hundreds of Examples might be produced of the miserable overthrow of those who began to contemn their Enemies too soon CHAP. XIX How Othoman the first King of the Turks cunningly slew such as intended to have destroyed him O Thoman's wonderful Prosperity purchased to him the hatred and envy of many of his Neighbours so that several Christian Captains of small Castles living round about him resolved in their Assembly to murder Othoman and the better to effect their wicked purpose they designed to invite him to a great Marriage which was to be solemnized between
Horse and Foot than Bajazet Some reckon 300000 Horse and 400000 Foot in Tamerlans Army whereas in Bajazets Army were 140000 Horse besides 30000 Mamalucks and 30000 Janizaries and above 100000 other Soldiers but old and experienced in War Tamerlan therefore resolved to fight on Horseback and so to draw up his numerous Army that they might all be serviceable in their order and weary the valiant Enemy with the Assaults of fresh men This wise and politick manner of Fight undoubtledly obtained for him the Victory for having always a fresh Body of men both of Horse and Foot ready to fall on instead of such as were either discouraged or broken he kept the Turks so long in play that they were tired and sorced to yield to the greater number CHAP. XXV The Stratagems of Alis Bassa the Great Minister of State under Sultan Soliman Bajazets Eldest Son in the War against Mahomet the 5th King of the Turks AFter the departure of Tamerlan out of Natolia the Children of Bajazet made themselves Masters of much of his Dominions Soliman took that part which lay in Europe Isa and Mahomet shared what they could keep from Tamerlans Lievtenants in Asra But when their common Enemy was retreated they fell out amongst themselves Isa contended with his Brother Mahomet three times in Bloudy Fights and was as often worsted and forced to fly for safety into Caramania where he lived and dyed in obscurity Soliman the other European Brother made ready a strong Army and passing over into Asia took the Royal City of Prusa but the Castle was defended by Jacub-beg a stout Captain who being reduced to the necessity of submitting to Soliman without speedy relief sent a Messenger to inform Mahomet of his distress Mahomet dispatched back the Messenger with a Letter to Jacub and assured him of his Assistance The Messenger was taken by Solimans Soldiers and brought to Alis-beg his Great General When he had read the Letter he counterfeited others in the name of Mahomet wherein he commended the Faithfulness and Courage of Jacub but because he could not yet send him any Succours he gave him liberty to deliver the Castle upon Honourable Terms This counterfeit Letter Alis-beg found means to send secretly to Jacub-beg into the Castle when he had read it he hanged out a Flag of Truce and desired a Parley with Soliman and according to the direction of the Letter he deliver'd up his Castle to the great Grief of Mahomet who was within one days Journy of Prusa ready with a stout Army to fall upon the Besiegers and force his way to the Castle Soliman after the surrender of this strong place dispersed his Army As soon as Mahomet heard of it he made speed to surprize his Brother who minded more his Pleasure than the War But Soliman being advertized by one of his Commanders of his Brothers coming at that time when he could not well resist him consulted how to run away and sail over into Europe but from such a disgraceful flight he was disswaded by Alis-Bassa his great Councellor because 't was like to discourage all his Friends in Asia and ruine his interest there but he advised him to make speed and post himself with his small Company about the Streights of Neapolis there to keep the passages of the Country which good advice he followed and beat off his Brother Mahomet whom he hindred from passing any further Whilst he there lay Alis-beg doubting of his Masters strength resolved to try what he could do by cunning He sent one of his Trusty Servants to Mahomet to inform him that most of his Great Captains had designed and agreed amongst themselves to deliver him up to Soliman his elder Brother and the undoubted Heir of his Father and therefore willed him to stand upon his Guard Notwithstanding this advice he caused several assaults to be made to the Passages of the Mountains but was as often repulsed At last when one of his menial Servants fled to Soliman he began to be jealous of the rest therefore fearing Treachery and being otherwise incommodated by the Wet Weather he departed back to Amasia and deliver'd his Brother from a great fear of being taken by him This Civil War lasted several years first between Isa and Mahomet next between Mahomet and Soliman then between Soliman and Musa who took and strangled Soliman in Europe At last the contention was between Musa and Mahomet who after the Death of all his other three Brothers succeeded to all the Dominions of old Bajazet deceased in Chains CHAP. XXVI The Brave Exploits of Huniades the Hungarian in defence of his Country against the Turks HVniades by his Valour and Wisdom raised himself in the esteem and favour of Vladislaus first King of Poland and afterwards chosen King of Hungary about the year 1440. so that Vladislaus made him Vayvod of Transilvania At his first coming to the Government he secured all the Passages and Borders with good Garrisons because he had an unquiet and cruel Neighbour Isa-beg who commanded in Rascia and the upper part of Servia for Amurath This Isa-beg had often by the command of his Prince invaded the Christians Country and put all to Fire Sword and woful Desolation the more to distress Belgrade and other Frontier Cities of Hungary Huniades with one Nicholas Vilach raised a considerable Army of Horse and Foot and marched with them into Isa's Government between Belgrade and Sinderovia to requite the Turks Cruelties Isa met him with such Forces as he had then not inferiour in number to the Christians At the first Onset Huniades's Army retreated behind the Men at Arms whose fierceness and undaunted Courage the Turks could not long endure but were forced to fly so that Isa to save himself returned to Sinderovia with more speed then he came from thence Huniades after a great slaughter of the Enemies and much Rich Spoil and many Prisoners returned to Belgrade where Amuraths Displeasure Isa's Loss and Defeat would not suffer him to rest long for this angry Turk having raised a numerous Army of Valiant Soldiers sent with them Mesites his General to spoil and subdue Transilvania Mesttes came into the Country on a sudden before Huniades was well able to oppose him He put all to the Sword at his first Entrance and destroyed by Fire the Towns and Villages to make himself more dreadful to the Inhabitants Huniades in this distress was forced to fly to Alba Jula to the Bishop of that City George Lepe with an intent by his Assistance to raise an Army but being followed by the Turks speedy March before they could be provided they were both besieged in the City by the Enemies who spoiled all the Country round about Huniades and the Bishop sallies out upon them but were forced by an Ambush to retreat The Bishop was slain but Huniades saving himself went all about his Government and gathered what Power he could make up perswading the People to venture themselves in the just Defence
of their Country and Families With this Tumultuary Army he marches after the Bassa then proud with Success and laden with Spoils And for the better carrying on of his purpose he sent Spies to give him notice of the Turks Motions and designs From them he understood that Mesites had given a special command to all his Officers and Soldiers to assault the Person of Huniades upon whose Valour and Direction depended the Fortune of the day In the Army of Huniades was one Simon Kemene an adventurous Gentleman who knowing of the Turks design and orders offered to change Horse and Armour with his General for his greater safety which when Huniades had granted he pursued the Turks and skirmished with them every day at last they came to a Battel where the counterfeit Huniades ding his Generals Horse was beset by the Turks and after a stout resistance slain But the true Huniades in the mean while incouraging his Men receiving such as were oppressed rallying such as fled made a great slaughter of the Infidels in whose Camp were many Christian Prisoners that broke their Chains and with such Weapons as came next to hand charged the Turks in the Rear whilst Huniades kept them in play till they were forced to fly Mesites with his Son was slain and 20000 Turks The Christians lost about 3000 Men but recovered all the Plunder Spoils and Prisoners After this notable Victory he laid the Foundation and made a preparation far greater first by returning thanks to the God of Hosts the Giver of all Success and causing Solemn Thanksgiving to be made in all the Churches of his Government next by acknowledging the Soldiers Valour and Courage and giving to every one both Officers and others their due Praises by enriching his Army with the Spoils of his Enemies which he converted not to his own private use but made them plentifully share in the enjoyment of that which they had got with the hazard of their Lives and by consecrating to Pious Uses some part of the Spoils that he might thereby return Thanks to God both in Word and Deed. Never any covetous Commander was ever successful in War As the private Soldier must do the Work he must not want that encouragement which Military Souls expect The best as well as the meanest are most willing to venture their Lives with those by whose Bounty and Liberalities they have been notably obliged And if Soldiers will be careful to remember their God upon whose pleasure the Lives of Men and the hazards of War do immediately depend he will undoubtedly mind them in their greatest distress and dangers To defie God and his Power by filthy Oaths and Blasphemies unknown to our Fore-Fathers is now the common practise of those who would seem to be the stoutest Men. This is a baseness and madness which Atheisme hath much encouraged and which can never draw upon their Heads who give themselves over to such extravagant Liberties a Blessing but rather a Curse And those Armies where such bold Follies are either countenanced or winked at can never prosper long The greatest Conquerors and most successful Warriors both in former and latter Ages have bin careful to encourage Religion and to take with them the Blessing of Heaven in all their notable designs and after a prosperous proceeding to return unto God his Praises due by a publick acknowledgment of his Power and Bounty Huniades is an example of true Valour which hath always Piety joined with it After this Victory Valachia and Moldavia revolted from the Turks To revenge himself Amurath raised a very great Army and sent it under the command of Schech-Aheden-Bassa who passing through Valachia destroyed all their Country with Fire and Sword and entred into Transilvania with an intent to do the like there But Huniades met him with 15000 chosen Men at a place called Vascape where he drew up some Battalions in form of a Wedge which did him great service and could not be broken by the Turks Violent Assaults so that after near five hours continual fight during which time the Fields were covered with an incredible number of dead Bodies the Turks fled and the Hungarians kill'd above one half of the Infidels recovered 190 Ensigns and all the Bag and Baggage of the Enemy The next Spring 't was resolved by the States of Hurgary that a War against the Turks should be prosecuted with more care and preparation An Army was raised where the King Vladislaus adventured in Person to march over the River Tibiscus against a vast Army of the Turks and Huniades with a party of Horse was sent to beat up their Quarters in the Night He came so suddenly upon them that he slew 30000 Turks and took 4000 Prisoners with a great Booty after which he recovered most of Bulgaria so that the Turks for their safety were forced to stop up the passages of the great Mountain Hemus through which the Christian Army was to pass into Thracia and then being Winter they powred Water in all the Roads that neither Man nor Beast might be able to stand or go for the Ice into which the Water that fell was immediately frozen Nevertheless the Christian Army marched so far till the difficulty of the way and the want of all necessaries enforced them to return back at whose Heels Carambeg the Turkish General followed close to take them at some advantage When they came to the Mountain Cynobiza he sent a strong party of Horse to hinder the March of the Hungarian Army till he could reach them with the rest of his Troops Huniades and the Despot of Servia encouraged their Men and sent some loose Companies of Pikemen to stand amongst the Bushes and Thickets to assault the Turks Horsemen in their passage After a very bloudy Fight and the slaughter of many Thousand Turks the Victory inclined to the Hungarians Carambeg in his Flight fell into a Bog being deceived by the deep Snow and was taken by a common Soldier who sold him to Huniades for four hundred Duckets Out of this Fight fled George Castraot named Scanderbeg who was afterwards one of the most valiant Champions of the Christians against the Turks Amurath troubled with so many losses was resolved to conclude a Truce for ten years with Vladislaus which was granted and solemnly confirmed by Oath but by the Popes perswasion and Cardinal Julians's this Peace was broken the King and his Nobles absolved from all obligations of their Oaths An Army was prepared to invade the Turks Territories when Amurath was chastizing the King of Caramania for revolting against him Nevertheless Amurath made speed with a brave Victorious Army to meet the Hungarian King and at Varna encountred with him when he had but a small number in his Army to prevent the Turks inclosing in the Christians with their vast numbers Huniades drew them up in such a manner that they had a deep Marsh Ground on the Right Wing on the Left he placed his Carriages and on the Rear
departure Scanderbeg followed and cut off many of his Army assaulting him sometimes in the Rear sometime in the Van as place and occasion would suffes him The next Spring Amurath returned intr Epirus with an of Army 160000 Men seading beo fore Sebali as a wise Captain with 40000 Horse to beleagure the City of Croia After a furious Battery it was assaulted by the Turks but Vranacontes the Governour so encouraged his Soldiers and Citizens that they stoutly defended it whilst they were then busie in the assault Scanderbeg with 5000. broke into their Camp killed 500 Men and was spoiling of their Tents This gave an Alarm to the whole Army so that the Bassa Seremet and Prince Mahomet with his Guard hasted to rescue their Camp and to deliver it from such troublesome Guests Scanderbeg in his Retreat being inclosed in by the Turks broke through several Bodies of them safe but with great danger of his Life During this Siege he had strongly encamped himself upon the Mountain Tumenist not far from the Turks that he might be more ready to plague his Enemies and assist his Subjects besieged in Croia Mahomet to prevent Scanderbeg for the future had drawn all the best Soldiers of his Army on that side where he was wont to assault them but he having good Intelligence caused an Alarm to be given by Moses there whilst he in the mean while with a strong party of 8000 Men at Midnight entred their Camp at the farther end and made a very great flaughter of the Turks Amurath after many cruel Assaults given to the City and furious Attempts to no purpose through the Vigilancy of the Governour and Courage of the Defendants dyed for Grief under the Walls of Croia His Death caused the Siege to be raised by his Son and Successor Mahomet whose Army was followed and miserably cut off by Scanderbeg in their return homewards at all places of advantage But to keep him in continual Play Mahomet sent one Amesa a Turk with 12000 Horsemen to wast Epirus Scanderbeg laid for him an Ambush upon the Mountain Modrissa where Scanderbeg's Infantry fell upon those Horsemen and killed 7000 men with the loss of the Turks General taken Prisoner who was afterwards ransom'd at 13000 Duckats by Mahomet The Money was distributed amongst the Christian Soldiers After this one Debreas a Valiant Captain requested Mahomet to be sent against Scanderbeg who hearing of his coming went to meet him in the Turks Dominions with 6000 choice men Debreas had 14000. Scanderbeg thought to have come upon him unawares but he was prevented and discovered therefore the two Armies drew up and after a sharp engagement Scanderberbeg slew Debreas with his own Hands as he was riding about to encourage his Men. The whole Army at the loss of their General fled and left behind them 4120. slain by the Christians Mahomet endeavour'd next to corrupt some great Man of Scanderbegs Army Moses Golemus of Dibra was the person pitched upon He fled to the Turks and returned with an Army of 15000 men into Epirus where he was encountred by his late Prince and 11000 of his Soldiers killed with the loss of one hundred Epirots In this Battel Ahemaze a Turk challenged Zacharias Groppa a Christian and was by him killed and beheaded before the Fight Moses at his return to Constantinople was so derided by the Turks that he preferr'd to cast himself upon the mercy of Scanderbeg who received him again and pardoned him restoring to him all his Goods which had been confiscated Turks won next Amesa a Nephew of Scanderbegs promising him the Crown of Epirus With him Isaak the Great Bassa was sent with 50000 men to proclaim him King of Epirus Scanderbeg had provided a good Army but came in sight of the Enemy only with 6000 Horse with whom he took the way of Lyssa a Town of the Venetians as if he had despaired of keeping of Epirus any longer and had fled thither for the safety of his Person The Turks rejoiced as if they had no Enemy to deal with or to fear When Scanderbeg saw the Turks secure and that they had the day before ranged about the Country for Plunder and Spoil he divided his small Army into three Parties and came upon them before they expected him for they had not time to bridle their Horses Amesa making Head first was taken Prisoner and his Party defeated The Bassa was overthrown by Moses and Tanusius two of Scanderbegs Captains and driven out of Epirus He lost about 20000 men and Scanderbeg but 60. All the Bag and Baggage and Tents of the Enemies were there taken with great Riches by the Epirots Three years after Sinam and Hamur two other Captains were ordered by Mahomet to disturb the quiet of Scanderbegs Kingdom but Sinam with 20000 men was overthrown and his Successor Asambeg with 30000. was defeated next in the Plains of Ocrida himself wounded and taken Prisoner by Scanderbeg One Jussembeg with 18000. entring into Epirus lost part of his Army and was glad to save himself by flight with the rest Their misfortune caused one Caraza-beg an old Companion of Scanderbegs to request Mahomet to venture an Army with him He trusted him with 40000 men but when Carazabeg had near 4000 Horse who were cut in pieces by an Ambush at his first entrance into Epirus and been wearyed out with continual Alarms by Scanderbeg in the Night the weather proving very Tempestuous and full of Rain he returned back to Mahomet with less loss than any before him A Peace afterwards was concluded between Mahomet and Scanderbeg but it lasted not long because of Injuries received on both sides Mahomet to defend his Territories bordering upon Epirus sent Seremet Bassa with fourteen thousand Soldiers but he was routed in the Plains of Ocrida and 10000 Turks slain Balabanus Badera an Epirot born was the next great Captain who invaded Epirus with 15000 Horse and 3000 Foot He sought to ingratiate himself with Scanderbeg by Messengers and Gifts but because he was born a Peasant Scanderbeg sent him a Shovel a Mattock and a Flail This Balabanus was three times overthrown in Battel by Scanderbeg and his Armies routed and cut in pieces At his return he perswaded Mahomet to send two Generals with 40000 men against Scanderbeg so that he and one Jacub Amauth entred into Epirus Balabanus was first defeated and forced to fly with great slaughter Jacub next was killed by Scanderbeg himself and his Army dispersed Mahomet went into Epirus next and sent Balabanus with 80000 men to besiege Croia before him but was perswaded to return back Constantinople and leave the command of the Siege to Balahanus who riding up to the Gates of Croia to offer them Honourable conditions was shot in the Throat and dyed in his Camp The Army fled after the death of their General out of Epirus leaving behind them their Tents and Carriages But Mahomet the next Spring returned with a vast Army to the Siege of Crota but
Henry the VI. of England After this Kings overthrow the Lords sent to King James to desire him to disband his Army and not to molest the English Borders threarning him that if he did otherwise they would meet him in the Field He answered the Messengers That he was resolved to take the Town and Castle of Roxburg which he had besieged and that he was not to be driven away from thence by Words As King James was storming the Castle of Roxburg he gave fire to one of the great Guns himself and was suddenly struck dead The Queen then in the Army desired the Lords not to be dejected by the Kings death nor to forsake the Siege and told them that she would provide another King for them her Son James then about nine years old who was brought into the Camp and saluted King by the Army who never left off till they had taken the Castle and demolished it Thus this Couragious Queen undaunted at the unexpected death of her Husband continued in the Field to hearten the Soldiers and force the Enemy to surrender this strong Castle to the Scots King James the III. succeeding to his Father wanted not his Courage though he suffered himself to be too much govern'd by his passions which brought him at last to an untimely end To him succeeded James the IV. who in the year 1500 proclaimed a War against England in favour of the French and sent a great Fleet to their Assistance He was so resolved that when he was disswaded from a Battel with the English because of his small and weak number he declared to the Earl of Angus he would fight them if they were one hundred thousand strong The Scots according to the example of their King fought stoutly and though there were 5000 of them killed they slew as many of the English But the King lost his life in this Battel of Fluddon Field He was so zealous for the Christian Religion that he obtained from the Pope the stile of Protector of the Faith James the V. a Child succeeds his Father under several Regents At last the distractions of the Kingdom forced the Nobility to invite over from France John Stuart Duke of Albany 1514. to take upon him the Government of the King and Kingdom He was a wise and moderate man but much addicted to the French faction and interest He was a Nephew of King James the III. by his Brother Alexander It was the unhappiness of this and several of the former Kings to come to their Crown before they had knowledge and ability to bear them therefore divisions and factions in the State between great and Ambitious Men did miserably tear that poor Kingdom of Scotland and caused many calamities to fall upon the innocent Inhabitants When King James the V. came to be of Age he visited with a fleet all the Islands and punished such disorderly Rebels as regarded not his Predecessors commands He went over into France and marryed first Magdalen the French Kings Daughter but she dyed suddenly He marryed next with Mary of the House of Guise of whom was born that excellent Queen Mary of Scotland whose Rebellious Subjects and over-jealous Kinswoman brought her after much affliction and a long imprisonment to an undeserved Death She was conveyed into France and marryed to the Dolphin and her mother declared Regent in Scotland About this time happened great troubles all over that Kingdom by the bringing in of the Protestant Reformation which was opposed by the Queen Regent and her French Faction with the Roman Clergy but much encouraged by the People the Gentry and Nobility and especially by James a Bastard Son of James the V. who leaving the command of his Cloyster was created by his Sister Queen Mary Earl of Murrey Queen Elizabeth of England was not wanting to the Protestant party in Scotland she sent them both Men and Money and by the assistance of the English the French were driven out of Scotland Queen Mary after the death of her Husband the French King returns by shipping to Scotland where she found the Religion of the Country changed by an Act of Parliament and the Roman Faith abolished Though the Queen had the liberty of the Mass in her own Chappel the furious Zeal of the reformed party was scandalous and unsufferable for they offered many affronts to the Queens Domesticks of the Roman persuasion Therefore to strengthen her self against a contrary faction she calls home Mathew Stuart Earl of Lenox out of England where he had lived in Exile This Noble Man brought with him a Son named Henry commonly called the Lord Darly to the Court of Scotland where as soon as the Queen fixed her Eyes upon him she chose him for her Husband and dignified him with the Dukedom of Rothesay and Earldom of Ross to make him a fitter match for a Queen He was a person of admirable and comely presence and a zealous Roman Catholick After he was marryed and proclaimed King many of the Nobility grew discontented and fell into several parties labouring to breed a difference between the King and Queen which they found means to effect after the King had caused David Riz her French Secretary to be violently carryed away from the Queens presence and murdered she being then big with Child Afterwards she was brought to bed in Edinburg Castle of a Son named James who after the decease of Queen Elizabeth united both Kingdoms and put an end to the quarrels of both Nations The Queens Husband was afterwards inhumanely murdered by Earl Bothwel and other Conspirators The distressed Queen after many hazards and troubles flies for shelter into England where instead of a Sanctuary she finds a Prison and Death King James though Crowned young and governed by his Unkle Murrey proved one of the most excellent Princes for Wisdom Learning and all other Princely Endowments that ever any Nation was blessed with He was first govern'd by his Unkle Murrey but he being shot by one Hamilton in the Streets of Lithgo and killed Mathew Lenox the young Kings Grandfather was made Regent of Scotland during his Minority but he being also killed at Sterlin the Earls Morton and Mar were appointed to succeed But when the King was twelve years of Age he took upon him the Government and was assisted by twelve Noble Men as Councellours Then his Kinsman Esmerus Stuart the Son of John the Brother of Mathew late Earl of Lenox came over from France to visit his Cousin King James and was by him highly advanced made Lord Chamberlain of Scotland Captain of Dunbritton and Duke of Lenox His Father for his extraordinary Valour at the Battel of Baugy against the English had the Noble seat of Aubigny bestowed upon him by the French King Charles the VII King James met with many difficulties and snares out of which Providence and his own discretion led him safe to the Crown of England to the great Joy and Happiness of both Kingdoms He marryed with Anne Daughter
were fled and had left behind them their Ordinance Bag and Baggage they took the plunder of the Field This great Victory obtained at Podelvitza near Lipsick caused many Towns of Franconia to yield to the Conqueror Another Battel was sought at Rottenburg but the Imperialists were worsted Then did the King take all the Towns between the Baltick Sea and Mentz in one year The distressed Prince Palatine of the Rhine embraceth this favourable opportunity to recover his forfeited Estate and begs the Assistance of Gustavus who employs all his Forces to relieve him and by this means he got possession again of his Countries which could never be obtained by all the Treaties Leagues and Correspondencies of his Friends in Europe Francfort Ausburg Monachium and many of the chief Cities of Germany were surrendred to the King who met with no resistance till Wallenstein Duke of Fridland and the Duke of Bavaria with a great Army encamped near the Swedes about Noremburg The Kings Army was 50000 strong the Imperialists more but the Swedes wanted Provisions which they took by intercepting such Convoys as were going to the Emperours Army and by surprizing Friestad a Magazine The King sends Tupatelius a Swedish Collonel with a party of Dragoons in the Night They clapt a Petard to the Gates and entred the Town took the Corn and the Cattle that were there and because the Enemies Army lay not far off the King sent a strong party to relieve his Men placing an Ambush for the Imperialists who failed not to fall into it to their great loss Both Armies thundred one against another many days with frequent Skirmishes but the want of Provisions forced them to part after a hot Encounter The Imperialists marched towards Saxony to be revenged on that Duke With the Dread and Terror of Fire and Sword they opened the Gates of many strong Towns till the King hasting to the Assistance of that miserable Country at the fatal Town of Lutzen the 6th of November 1632. he meets with the Imperial Army and resolves to fight them As soon as the Sun was up he implored the Assistance of the Almighty and set his Army in order he himself led the Right Wing the Duke Bernard of Saxon Weymar had the Left The King was desired to put on his Armour but he refused to incumber himself with so great a Weight In the heat of the Battel a certain person belonging to the Regiment of Piccollomini sees him at a distance he rid furiously up to him and as he was turning about his Horse he shot him with a Brace of Bullets in the Back to the great grief of all his Army but not to their Discouragement for when they heard of his Death they fell so resolutely on that they beat off the Imperialists and recovered the Royal Body In the Left Wing Duke Bernard had put the Enemy to a Retreat but at that Instant Papenheim an Imperial General came into the Field rallyed the disordered Troops and with his own Forces endeavoured to snatch the Victory from the Swedes but he sound them ready to receive him The day was too short for that Fight it continued some part of the night but Papenheim ended there his days in the Bed of Honour leaving the Swedes to rejoice for a dear bought Victory with the loss of an excellent King who dyed in the 38th year of his Age. When he saw how fond and confident his People were in him he desired them not to trust in him whose Breath was in his Nostrils but in the Lord Jesus who had promised to be with his Church till the end of the World Though the Swedes here lost their King they prosecuted the War under the command of Duke Bernard Kniphus and Horn being assisted by the Dukes of Saxony Brandenburg the Lantgrave of Hesse the Duke of Lunenburg CHAP. XLVI How Prince Maurice got into his Power the Town of Grolle in Gelderland GRolle was a well fortified Town possessed by the Spaniard Prince Maurice had laid Siege to it but was forced to depart without his purpose He studied therefore how to obtain by subtilty what he could not get by force Sometime after he calls together his Troops and declares that his design was to sit before Guelders a Town not far distant from Grolle As soon as the Spaniards understood it they furnished Guelders with all manner of provisions and Ammunition for its defence and took out of other Towns Soldiers and all necessaries to supply that but chiefly out of the Town of Grolle The Prince having notice how naked they had left it suddenly surrounded it the second time and by reason of its want of the Ammunitions and Provisions sent to furnish Guelders he quickly became Master of it Such pretences are very useful to deceive an Enemy and to surprize him unawares and unfurnished for a defence This policy was often practised by the Renowned Duke of Parma in the taking of several Towns in the Netherlands If therefore a Commander be free to discover his design upon any place the Enemy may understand thereby that this is only to deceive him and that the real intent is kept secret for Wise Generals will not suffer their inferiour Soldiers and sometimes their greatest Officers to know their purposes CHAP. XLVII How Scanderbeg with a Handful of Horse and Foot overcame the Turks numerous Forces of Cavalry and Infantry SCanderbeg that Renowned General and Champion of the Christian Faith in a certain Battel in which he was forced to engage and fight with the Turkish Army which exceeded him much in number of men made use of this policy He drew up his Army in such Streights and places as that he could not easily be surrounded And to strengthen his Horse against the fury of the Turkish he lined them with some of his best Foor commanding them at the first onset to charge in the distances between the Horse which was performed with that Gallantry and Courage that the Turkish Horse having both Foot and Horse to encounter with at once gave back and were forced to retire in disorder upon their Foot so that without any great Loss he routed and defeared that vast Army with a small number of Men. CHAP. XLVIII How the Duke d'Alve was wont to strengthen his Army in a Camp against the sudden Attempts of the Prince of Oranges Horse THe Duke d'Alve was a subtile Commander of his days and so renowned a General that his Prince Philip the 2d pitcht upon him to lead his Army to conquer the Kingdom of Portugal though he was then in disgrace and bannished the Spanish Court. When the Prince of Orange entred Brabant with a brave Army well provided with German Horse this Duke d'Alve had in his Army almost all Foot therefore to prevent any surprize d'Alve used to fortifie himself round with Waggons and Carts chained together and beyond them to cast up a Trench round his Army He caused also his Carts to be lined with Musketeers
to besiege or annoy the Town for it was erected on the Banks of the River Issell When therefore Prince Maurice had a design upon that place he procured a dozen young Gentlemen of a Feminine Gountenance to be apparelled as Country Maids and to carry thither Butter Eggs Poultry and other such Country-Commodities to be sold to the Garrison Soldiers They coming to the Walls to buy these Provisions sound the Disguised Virgins very tractable and judging them fit for their Lust they received them into the Fort and offered them drink to make them more pliable for their purpose As the Soldiers were busie in their Courtship these young and stout Soldiers drew from under their Petticoats a long Knife made for the purpose and stabb'd the Soldiers who sat next to them then rising together with such Arms us they siezed next to thems they encountred with the rest of the Guard and cut them all off delivering the strong Port to their Companions who waited near at hand to give them their ready Assistance The taking of this Skonse so discouraged the Garrison of the Town that they yielded in few days after to the States of Holland Such Disguises have often proved successful when the business and design hath been managed with care and discretion wariness and Courage Another Town in the Low-Countries was taken by a party of Soldiers apparalled as Country Maids and by them the Guard was suddenly overpowred and a Gate seized to let in the Enemy at hand but the least disappointment spoils all the Design and destroys the bold Adventurers who must expect no pardon or Quarter after such a dangerous Hipocrisie CHAP. LV. How Spinola 's Army was like to be routed when they first sat down before the Walls of Bergen-op-Zone THe Governour of the City a politick Commander resolved to sally out upon the Spaniards at their first coming to besiege the Town and to terrifie them the more he encreased the appearance of his Army with a shew of Armed Troops besides those that he had real His Horse and Foot were to attack the Enemy out of one Gate and out of Another he caused all the Weak Jades of the Town being mounted by Boys and useless Fellows to march leisurely out and shew the appearance of other Forces These were to discover themselves at a distance after the first or second Charge when the Enemy was weary The Spaniards had beaten back the Defendants but the unexpected sight of these deceitful Forces so troubled them that they suddenly left the Chase and retired behind their Trenches in some disorder and had the States Soldiers been provided with Ammunition and Bullets to have given at that instant another Charge Spinola's Army had been then totally routed and the City freed from a troublesom Siege CAAP. LVI How an Army hath been discouraged in the midst of a Fight AT Muscleborough Field when both Armies were fiercely engaged there was cunningly a rumour spread amongst the Enemies that their General was slain in the other Wing and part of their Forces cut off and routed which Report so terrified them that they immediately gave Ground and began to run This Policy hath been often used when it was known that the General was not present And sometimes after the first Charge an Army hath cryed out Look how they run in the Rear Such Words and false Reports have disordered and defeated the best and most resolute Armies for the least sear discourages Soldiers in such a critical time and disinables them from pursuing the Victory So that as it hath always been the practice of well advised Generals by sudden Attempts Stratagems Rumours and other Arts to terrifie their Enemies it hath been the endeavour of wise Commanders to prevent fear from discouraging their Forces and to secure their minds against all suddain Accidents which they could foresee by their advice and command and by the steadiness of their own Resolutions and wise Orders CHAP. LVII How the States of Holland got the Possession of a piece of Ground which they knew was fit for them to build a Fort to distress the Enemies Towns and stop the passage of two great Rivers THere is between the Wale and the Leck two great Rivers a piece of ground advancing into the Sea The Hollanders perceiving that it might be beneficial to them and their designs against the Spaniards if they could get it resolved by policy to gain possession of it Round about were the Enemies Castles and Garrisons which would infallibly oppose any such motion if they came to understand it Therefore to conceal their intent from them they dealt with a Country Fellow named Skinks to hire that piece of ground for some years to feed his Colts and to secure them the better they ordered him to raise a Wall and dig a deep Ditch from one River to the other which was about 400 Rod being the only passage by Land to that place When this was finished the Hollanders came by night sailing up the River and landed such Forces as were able to defend the place until they had builded a strong Fort or Skonse to secure it from the Spaniards who finding themselves outwitted and perceiving the Importance of the place they labour'd to re-take it again This was that Fort named Skinks Skonse so famous for a long Siege in the late Holland War CHAP. LVIII How the Town of Manheim was surpriz'd by Duke Bernard of Saxonweymar THis Town is scituate upon the great River of Rhine and one of the strongest of the Pallatinate Duke Bernard desired earnestly to have it in his possession but was loath to venture his Reputation with his Army in besieging it knowing the Strength of the Town and the Resolution of the Garrison he therefore endeavoured to get it by policy He took with him five hundred men in the night and so ordered his march that he came before the Gates of the Town in the morning an hour or two before day and sent in word to the Governour that he was a Commander of a neighbouring Garrison of their side naming his name and that having adventur'd out with a party upon some important design he was overpowred and beaten in by a stronger party of Swedes who followed him and therefore forced to seek a Refuge within the Walls of Manheim from the Swedish Violence desiring him earnestly to cause his Gates to be opened to let him and his Soldiers in with speed because the Swedes were then at hand ready to fall upon and cut off his Rear Maravelli the Governour believed all this to be true and commanded the Gates to be opened and a passage to enter into the Town As soon as the Duke was within he cut off the Main Guard with three hundred Soldiers took the Governour Prisoner and the chief Officers and won the Town which could not have been otherwise taken without a chargeable and long Siege CHAP. LIX Tamerlan 's Policy to oblige the Towns to yield to him with speed IT
drew up his Army amongst the Vines and broken ground where the Horse could not well ride up and down And having a stout Infantry he charged the French Forces so bravely that they retreated and fled In such like cases others have fixed Stakes sharpned at both ends in the ground others have digged holes covered over with Turves others have encompassed in their Foot with Craw-Feet a Swedish Invention good to stop the Cavalry for there is always a sharp Iron that stands above ground about three Inches which way soever you fling it Others have marched with a Wall of Pikes round their Body and a party of Foot in the middle to line and secure them against the fury of the Shot of the Cavalry Many other Inventions there are to be used to defend the Foot against the Horse so that many times a small party of Foot by Art have routed a considerable Body of Horse CHAP. LXX How the Lord Poynings took at Samerdubois in France a Castle which was thought to be impregnable THe Lord Poynings at his first coming before the Castle summons it but finding it very strongly scituated upon a Hill that was encompassed round with deep Marish Ground and that the Governour and Garrison had such confidence in its inaccessible Scituation that they would not hearken to a Surrender He caused a great Cannon to be made of Wood and drew it over the wet ground with many Horses as if it had been of Metal and of a great Weight so near the Castle that it must needs do execution if had been as they lookt upon it to be Then again the Lord Poynings when his Battery was made sent another Summons to the Governour with this Threatning That if he suffered the Canon to be discharged they should all be put to the Sword but if he would yet hearken to a Composition he might have fair and Honourable Terms granted The Captain being deceived by this Policy yielded up his strong hold upon Articles and departed out when it was not in the Power of the Lord Poynings to have forced him CHAP. LXXI How Monsieur Lawtreck in the Neapolitan War forced all his Auxiliary Troops which were of other Nations to fight valiantly IN the Neapolitan War Lawtreck was General of the French Army unto whose assistance came several other People of Italy who were in League with their King Lawtreck to oblige them all to be valiant separates them and draws them all up in distinct Battalions in the Fight and when the two Armies were engaged he rode about to those whom he saw most backward telling them that such and such Battalions had already got the Victory they therefore out of emulation were forced to fight by this means he put the Enemy to Flight CHAP. LXXII How a Scottish King obliged his discomfited Army to fight against the Picts THe Annals of Scotland make mention of a certain King of Scots who having been often beaten and lost many Battels against the Picts saw that his people were altogether discouraged and unwilling to try again the hazard of another Fight and that he could not by any persuasion oblige them to it until he had made use of this Imposture He apparell'd certain of his Men in Scales and Seals Skins which shine very bright in the Dark and put into their hands Truncheons of rotten Ash Wood causing them in that Garb to awaken his Chief Officers at midnight and to tell them That they were Messengers sent from Heaven to advise them to sight once more against their Enemies assuring them of a notable Victory The Captains the next Morning came to their King and related to him and the whole Army what they had seen and and heard and that 't was their opinion to fight couragiously for that God would assist them seeing he had sent them such a comfortable Message The Scotch Army upon this considence engaged with the Picts and beat them out of their Country CHAP. LXXIII How the Marquis of Spinola had Intelligence of all the Passages of the Prince of Oranges Army and of the Town of Breda then besieged by Spinola SPinola besieged the Town of Breda but not knowing in what condition the Garrison was he perswaded a subtile Country-Fellow to carry Butter and Cheese and other necessary things into the Town The Fellow pretended that he had narrowly escaped the Guards and Sentinels and was very welcom to the Soldiers and to the Governour in hopes by his means to send a Letter to the Prince of Orange The Country Fellow at first shewed himself unwilling because of the danger but at last suffered himself to be wrought upon by rewards and promises to carry a Letter which he deliver'd to Spinola who sealed it up and gave it to the same Country Fellow to carry to the Prince The Fellow informed him of all passages and told him how he had escaped through the Guard The Prince judged that he could not employ a fitter Man to carry back an answer to the Town which he undertook to perform for a Sum of Money but when he had the Princes Answer he carryed it to the Marquis to peruse and received from him a good reward When Prince Maurice was dead Henry his Brother succeeded him in his Employment and when the Marquis could not understand of the Enemies Condition he sent for his Country Fellow and caused him to counterfeit a Sickness which he pretended he had got by travelling in Winter and Frost to serve the Prince of Orange The Countrymans Wife goes to Prince Henry and complains of her Hufbands sad condition desiring him to pay him that stipend which his Brother had promis'd for his former Services The Prince was well pleased to find the Man that could carry Intelligence to the besieged Town and willed her to fetch him promising to pay not only that Money but much more if he would serve him as he had served his Brother After many great promises the Peasant was brought to the Prince and charged with a Letter to the Governour of Breda but instead of carrying it to the Town he brought it to the Marquis by this means he understood his Enemies purposes and conditions and knew how to prevent their Designs CHAP. LXXIV How the Duke of Alanson was like to have surprized Mons. THe plot was laid in this manner That a thousand Horse having with them a thousand Musketeers behind them should in the night hide themselves in the Woods near to the City to be ready to hasten to the Gates at the first call About thirty young Soldiers without Beards were to be apparelled like Country Girls with their Weapons privately hid about them to these some old Soldiers were added to accompany them in the garb of Country Clowns carrying with them Provisions for the Market for that day was chosen to surprize the City They were to have a Cart with them loaden with Country Commodities which some Walloons were to drive the better to procure an entrance without
suspicion The Cart was to be driven to the second Gate and there to be disordered by letting fall the Wheel whilst the Carter was to be busie about his Cart the disguised Soldiers were to take the first and second Gate to kill the Watch and to give a sign to the Ambushes in the Wood to come speedily to their Assistance which being let into the City would easily take and keep it for the French But this plot was discovered and by that means prevented CHAP. LXXV How Prince Maurice endeavour'd to take Antwerp Gastle by surprize PRince Maurice without dispute was one of the most successful Generals of his time at the Battel of Newport he obtained a great Victory over the Spaniards and being bread up amongst Armies and Soldiers he proved a most wise and subtile Commander Antwerp Castle was attempted by him in this manner He being at Breda with his Army commanded all the passages of his Camp to be narrowly watched and secretly drew some Companies of Foot from some Neighbouring Garrisons putting them under the command of a discreet Collonel in whom he could conside The Soldiers knew nothing of his purpose only the Officers and that he might the better conceal his March from the Country he ordered his Men to take off their Orange Colours and change them for Red such as the King of Spains Soldiers used to wear and his Waggons likewise had a Burgundian Cross as Spinola's And as his Soldiers passed through the Country they were to say That they belonged to the King of Spain and were marching to Antwerp for Provisions By this disguise and invention a party of a 1000 Foot and 200 Horse went undiscovered in the dark night to the Walls of Antwerp Castle where they got as far as the Bridge and were ready to blow open the Gates had they not bin perceived by the Vigilancy of a Spanish old Soldier named Andreas Cea who gave the Alarm to the Garrison and prevented their entrance CHAP. LXXVI Of the Battel of Diep between Henry the Fourth of France and the Army of the Ligne commanded by the Duke of Mayenne THe King had in his Army about eight or nine thousand Men. The Duke had twenty five thousand Foot and eight thousand Horse the King intrenched himself about three Miles from Diep at a Village called Arques with his small number but he gave such wise Orders that he secured both his Camp and the Suburbs of the City from the invading Enemy who on the 16th of September 1589. gave a furious assault to the Kings Forces but were beaten back with great loss The Duke of Mayenne having continued quiet in his Camp three days gave another Assault but to as little purpose only the Regiments of Colalt and Tremblecour called to the Kings Forces that they would be of their side at which offer they were received within the Trenches and they promised to serve the King faithfully if they might have any assurance of their pay which was promised by the King but whilst this brave Prince was busily employed in looking to every quarter these Treacherous Villains turned their Weapons against them who had taken them in let in more of the Dukes Forces into that part of the Camp so that if the Duke in that consternation that the Kings Army was then in by the unexpected Treachery had speedily fallen upon them and seconded with all his Forces these two Regiments he had undoubtedly carryed and mastered the Trenches but whilst the Duke delayed the Count de Castillon the Duke of Montpensier and La Nove excellent Commanders of the Kings Army ran with their Men to assist the Kings discouraged party and charged the Enemy within the Trenches so briskly that they were forced to fly out and leave that great advantage they had gained by a Stratagem After this good success the King with his small party gave so many Alarms to the Dukes Camp that he found himself with his great Army besieged by the Kings small numbers and reduced to many Wants and to the necessity at last of departing to a more secure and commodious Neighbourhood CHAP. LXXVII Of the Famous Battel of Jury between Henry the 4th and the Duke of Mayenne THe Duke designed to relieve the Town of Dreux besieged by the Kings Army which as soon as the Duke began to draw near they were ordered to retreat as if they had been in fear This dissimulation so encouraged the Commanders of the Dukes Army that they would not be quiet till they had forced him against his Judgement to a Battel Both Armies were drawn up in Battalia in an even Plain near the Tillage of Jury The Kings Army had about ten thousand Foot and three thousand Horse drawn up in this manner The King appeared first at the Head of a Squadron of six hundred Horse most Lords and Gentlemen which was flanked on the right hand with a Battalion of two Regiments of Switzers and on the left by two other Regiments of the same Country These Battalions were followed by the Regiments of the Guards and three other Regiments The Duke of Montpensier marched next on the Left with a Squadron of six huudred Horse between two Regiments of Germany and Switzerland seconded by two other Bodies of Foot chosen out of the French Infantry The Marshal d'Aumount closed up the Left Wing with three hundred Horse and two Regiments of French Infantry at his sides and two Troops before him of Light Horsemen commanded by the great Prior and by Giury Mareschal de Camp These were assisted on the Right by the Baron of Biron who had the charge to protect four Canons and some Field Pieces on the other side marched the Marshal of Biron with another Squadron of Horse between two Regiments of French Foot next to the Regiments of Guards but a little behind that they might be as a reserve to that Body which was commanded by the King in person next to them on the right hand shewing the appearance of a Cressant was a Squadron of German Horse slanked by two small Bodies of French Infantry led by the Count Scomberg This excellent order of the Kings Army together with the Judicious management of the Artillery by the Master of the Ordinance contributed much to the Victory for the several Bodies into which the Kings Army was drawn up found a means to inclose in a body of Dutch Horse whom they charged so furiously on the Flanks that they were routed and forced to fall back upon the Infantry of the Ligne The King himself acted the part of an excellent Commanmander and a stout Soldier for when he was to encounter with eighteen hundred Lances commanded by the Duke of Mayenne he with his Pistol and Sword in his hand was engaged in the midst of that great Squadron and totally defeated it with a small party that followed him close by his sides The King took all the Bag and Baggage Canon and Ammunition By this Battel Henry the 4th secured the
they had a steep Hill In this unfortunate Battel Huniades put to flight with his Transilvanian and Valachian Horsemen both Wings of the Turks Army and brought the main Body where Amurath himself was in very great danger so that when he saw the grievous Slaughter and Flight of his Men he plucked out of his Bosom a Copy of the League made by King Vladislaus and looking upon the Image of Christ Crucified in the Banners of the Voluntary Christians he cryed aloud Behold thou Crucified Christ this is the League thy Christians in thy Name have made with me which they have without Cause Violated If thou be a God as they say thou art revenge the Wrong now done unto thy Name and shew thy Power upon thy Perjurious People He had no sooner spoken those Words but the Turks took Courage made head against the Hungarians who nevertheless broke in upon the Janizaries where a French Knight of Rhodes wounded Amurath in the Thigh and Vladislaus having lost his Horse was there slain his Head struck off by Ferises Bassa and presented to Amurath who commanded it to be carryed upon a Lance with Proclamation That there was the Head of the Christian King His death discouraged the rest of the Christian Army so that Huniades after many couragious endeavours to rally his Men was forced to yield to the necessity of the day Julian the Cardinal with two thirds of the Army were slain and a greater number of the Turks which made Amurath ever after lament his dear bought Victory of Varna The Hungarians after the loss of Vladislaus chose Ladislaus a young Infant the Son of Albert and appointed Huniades during his Minority to be Governour of the Kingdom Huniades had another unfortunate Fight with Old Amurath at Cossova where for three days together the Hungarians notably maintained their Ground against the Turks vast numbers but at last oppressed with continual and fresh Supplies they fled leaving behind him 17000. and almost all the Hungarian Nobility dead under the heaps of the slain Turks to the number of 40000. Huniades after much difficulty and danger returned safe into Hungary gathered together his Forces and made another Army with which he marched to the Relief of the Despot of Servia who was assaulted by Fritze-beg and Jose-beg two of Amuraths Generals But as soon as they espied the Ensigns of Huniades in the Field the Turks fled for fear and lost many who were killed in the Retreat and their General Fritze-beg was taken Prisoner This Victory was got only by the dreadful name of Huniades Afterwards in the Reign of Mahomet the great he defended Belgrade against the Turks beat their Fleet upon the River Danubius and routed the Turks Emperour and Army with a great slaughter of 40000. and the loss of all his great Ordinance This happened in the year 1456. in which Huniades dyed in Peace CHAP. XXVII Of the Famous and never to be forgetten Scanderbeg and his Adventures NExt to Huniades none deserves more to be mentioned than the Noble Scanderbeg Prince of Egyrus In his youthful days he lived in the Turks Court of Amurath then King and for his dexterity in Arms was highly favoured by the Tyrant who had poysoned his elder Brethren and taken away the Inheritance of his Fore-Fathers At the Battel of Moravia where Carambeg was taken he was a Commander amongst the Turks In the general Rout he closely followed aster the Generals chief Secretary till he found him in a place fit for his purpose which he had imparted to some of his most trusty Friends and Countrymen chiefly to Amesa his Kinsman a stout Soldier They all together agreed to set upon the Turks when they found them few in number and to kill them The Secretary he carryed aside and forced him for fear of present Death to write a Letter in his Masters Name who was Grand Vizir to the Governour of Croia the chief City of Epirus to command him by Amuraths order to deliver on sight of the Letter his Charge and Government to Scanderbeg the new Governour as appointed by Amurath to succeed him adding several other things on purpose to gain more credit to the Letter and Messengers As soon as he had thus forced from the Secretary this Letter he killed him and as many of the Turks as he could meet with that they might not give intelligence of his Designs and Proceedings to Old Amurath And having with him under his Command three thousand Epirots his Countrymen who resolved to follow his Fortune and fight for the Honour and Liberty of their Native Country He marched with all speed towards Epirus and to the chief City of Croia He ordered the most part of his Soldiers to go in the night and by secret ways through the Woods and Mountains to draw as near to Croia as they could unperceived until he had an opportunity to bring them into the City to master the Turkish Garrison In the mean while he took with him a few only to wait upon him and went the direct way to Croia sending before him Amesa with two Servants to certifie the Governour of his coming Amesa behaved himself with that Wisdom and Discretion that the Governour could not perceive any deceit much less when he saw the great Bassa's Letter written by his Secretary but immediately delivered up the command of the Town and departed the next day for Adrianople The same Night Scanderbeg brought into the City his Soldiers who were appointed to be near at hand with their assistance he set upon the Turks and slew them The recovery of Croia caused all Epirus to yield to Scanderbeg and the Country People with great joy gave him their assistance to kill all the Turks that were left in his Dominions the Governour also of Croia was overtaken by the Epirots and murthered with his Retinue Only some strong places and Garrisons were not so easie to be mastered but Scanderbeg having called his Subjects to his Assistance he in few days gathered together 12000 Men with whom he besieged and took Petrelta a strong City by the subtile Tale of a Country Fellow sent thither on purpose by Scanderbeg to tell the Garrison that Amurath had been lately so defeated by the Hungarians that he could not relieve them and that they might have any Honourable Terms granted if they would submit to Scandberbeg After this he took possession of Petra Alba Stellusa and besieged Srifegrade but could not recover that City therefore rising from that Siege he wasted all the Borders of Macedonia and spoiled the Country round Alis Bassa was sent with an Army of forty thousand to punish him and recover Epirus Scanderbeg to defend himself chose 8000 Horse and 7000 Foot and with this small Army he waited upon the Borders near Dibra for the Bassa's coming but he had placed three thousand Men with Amesa in Ambush in a Wood near the great Road where the Bassa was to pass with his Army commanding them not to stir until
thousand common Soldiers Though the Enemy was fled the King for the publick safety commanded his Army to stand in Array for the Earl of Faulconbridge suddenly appeared with 600 Horse to take the English upon an advantage but they were soon routed After this Solemn thanks was given there to God and the Soldiers had then liberty to take the Plunder of the Field From thence King Henry marched to Chalice loaden with Riches and Honour The next year with a new Army he landed in Normandy besieged and took Caen and all the chief Towns invited by the Kings promises yielded without resistance only Rohan being well manned and fortified held out so long till Famine scal'd the Walls and deliver'd it to the English Bedford and the Earl of Huntington returned likewise with Victory over the French Fleet. In the beginning of this War the English had no assistance but from their own Skill and Valour and from the divided State of France and the discontent of the Grandees who commonly find fault with one another in an unsuccessful War But there happened an Action which mightily increased the strength of the English The Duke of Burgundy the Dolphins Enemy sought to be reconciled to him for the publick good The Dolphin though he professed much kindness took his advantage and murdered the Duke The Earl of Carolois the Dukes eldest Son sought to be revenged on the Murderers and therefore from thence favoured King Henry's Claim A peace was concluded by which King Henry was proclaimed Regent and Heir apparent of France and he marryed with Catherine the French Kings Daughter All these sudden successes of the English were owing to the young Duke of Burgundy's revenge the French Kings weakness and the Dolphins unjust dealing for he had purchased to himself many Enemies by the illegal murdering of great men chiefly the Duke of Burgundy A Foreign Enemy hath a great advantage in a strange Country when a Potent Person or a considerable Party joins with or assists them in their Conquest The Dolphin though he was discouraged by the French Kings rejection and the defection of many Towns he gathered his Forces and put a period to the English Victories and Joys by the gain of a Battel wherein 2000 English were surprized and slain with the Duke of Clarence the Kings Brother the Earls of Tankerville and Kent and the Lord Ross only for want of a right intelligence of the Enemies state and numbers The Duke being perswaded by a deceitful Scout to leave behind him the strength of his Army and engage the French Army only with his Horse Too much Confidence and Valour hath been the ruine of the stoutest and best Generals of former Ages The Dolphin to be revenged upon Burgundy employs Fire and Sword to destroy his Country but the King of England pursued him from one City to another till he fell sick by the way in marching towards Burgundy which caused him to be carryed back to Bois d'Vnicermes where after he had given order for the preservation of his Kingdom and returned thanks to God for his Conquests he departed this troublesome life leaving by his Queen a young Henry born at Windsor whom he committed to the Protection of his good Brother Humfrey Duke of Glocester but the Regency of France was left to his Brother John Duke of Bedford After the Kings Death Montacute Earl of Salisbury and the Lord Talbot were the most noted Champions and the most successful Commanders for the English Salisbury surprised the Town of Pont-Melance and raised the Siege of Cravant in Burgundy with the destruction of 8000 of the Enemy He took several other Towns and at the Battel of Vernoyle between the Regent and the Duke of Alanson who was assisted by William Stuart and a strong party of Scots this brave Commander routed the French Army kill'd 7000 French 2700 Scots with many of the chief Nobility so dreadful was his name to the French Nation that when St. James in Benyon was besieged by the Constable of France with 40000 men about 600 English sallying out of the Town and crying out St. George a Salisbury put the whole French Army to flight and took 14 great Guns with much of their Baggage and Ammunition In the prosecution of this War many Towns were lost and taken on both sides several sharp encounters happened between the English and the French Garrisons The French King was Crowned at Rheims and young King Henry at Paris where he received the Homages from the Nobility and Citizens The English Affairs prospered mighty well whilst there was a good agreement between the chief Commanders whilst they humoured the Duke of Burgundy and treated the French with Civility and kindness but when discord happened to be between the English Lords and they suffered the the Soldiers to oppress the Natives of France the Cities fell away from them apace Yet Lord John Clifford took Pouthois when the English Interest began to decay In a Snowy and Frosty Night he caused all his party to cloath themselves in White and in that colour he scal'd the Walls undiscover'd put most part of the Inhabitants to the Sword and plundered the Town Yet for all the brave Exploits and couragious endeavours of several English Commanders within a few years all France was lost with Aquitain and Normandy through the division of the English the cruelty of the Soldiers the Falshood and Treachery of the Natives and the presumption and negligence of some great Captains CHAP. XLIII Of Alexander Duke of Parma and his successful Stratagems WHen this excellent General came first to the Government of the Netherlands the King of Spain of the Seventeen Provinces was in possession but of three of the least but in a few years Parma by his industry and skill in Arms recovered almost all Holland and Zealand excepted This Prince had given the first Specimen of his Courage and Understanding in War in the Famous Battel of Lepanto against the Turks where he adventur'd to board a great Commanders Vessel named Mustapha the Treasurer of the Turks and after a bloudy Fight he took that Gally and another that came in to assist the former with unknown Riches in both But when John of Austriae was sent Governour into the netherlands he invited Alexander the young Duke of Parma into the Low Countries At the Battel of Gemblack between John of Austria and the States Alexander perceiving the Enemies Horse to march in a crooked and uneven way gave notice of it to the General and without expecting any return caused some Spanish Commanders to assault them in the Front and upon the Flanks which was performed with that Gallantry that they were put to flight and run back upon their Foot which they broke and disorder'd so that 10000 were there slain and taken in half an Hours time and but nine of the Spanish Army were found wanting All their Carriages and Guns were there taken with their General and several Noblemen This great Victory